Chris Wood is close to following Murillo’s lead by signing a new contract to extend his stay at Nottingham Forest.

According to The Athletic, Wood and his advisers have reached a verbal agreement with the club following talks about a possible two-year deal. The report adds: “If everything goes to plan, it is expected to be finalised soon.”

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has made clear that his main transfer window aim was to keep his existing squad intact, and he looks on course to do just that with in-demand defender Murillo signing a new four-and-a-half-year deal on Tuesday and now Wood looking likely to follow suit.

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The Athletic report adds: “The New Zealand international’s existing contract at the City Ground was due to expire at the end of the current season.

“Wood has had interest from teams in the MLS and Saudi Pro League, but the striker is happy in Nottingham and in the form of his career.”

The 33-year-old has scored 14 goals in 22 Premier League appearances for Forest this season, helping to fire the club into third place and European qualification reckoning.

However, the Reds are known to be looking for reinforcements to help ease the load on first-choice striker Wood, particularly as West Ham are said to be keen on back-up striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

They have already had an initial offer of £22m for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa knocked back by the London club, but have also been linked with Wolves’ Brazilian front man Matheus Cunha, plus Alex Baena from Villarreal.

Wood, who has also starred for the likes of West Brom, Leicester City, Leeds United, Burnley and Newcastle during his time in England, remains New Zealand’s all-time record scorer with 41 goals in 80 appearances for his country.