Chelsea are interested in signing Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, but before Liam Rosenior and Chelsea bring in any new defenders, a couple will have to be sold.
Chelsea have been linked with a handful of defenders over the last few weeks, since the January window slammed shut. Jules Kounde, Marcos Senesi, Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae have all been linked.
But Chelsea’s priority signing is £50m-rated Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. The Brazil defender is expected to be on the move this summer, with Forest set to surrender Premier League football this term.
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Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile of Chelsea react
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Indeed, Forest will do well to remain in the Premier League at this rate, with Sean Dyche sacked. Chelsea are looking to take advantage with the signing of Murillo, and reports say they are now advancing.
Benoit Badiashile’s exit is inevitable, Levi Colwill will be worried
A summer exit for Benoit Badiashile will hardly come as a surprise. Mamadou Sarr’s first start for Chelsea has already seen the African Cup of Nations winner overtake Badiashile, and Sarr could start vs Burnley.
An exit for Badiashile, one of three defenders reportedly on the chopping block, is inevitable. But interest in a left-footed centre-back will push the £35m signing closer to the exit door in the coming months.
Levi Colwill playing for Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 Club World Cup final.
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However, Badiashile is not the only potential exit. Having been sidelined for the entire season, Levi Colwill will be concerned given he is the other left-footed centre-back in the squad and is working hard to return.
England international Colwill is set to miss the rest of the season but many feel when he returns, he will be first choice. But, with the addition of Murillo, Colwill may have to admit he is no longer first choice.
Chelsea have put three players up for transfer this summer
According to new reports over the weekend, Chelsea are willing to wave goodbye to three defenders. Badiashile is one of those, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah can leave if the price is right.
Discuss: Murillo would be Chelsea’s best CB if he joins…
Forest want £50m.
Axel Disasi has little future at Chelsea after leaving on loan for a second time. Aaron Anselmino is likely to go on loan for a second time, meaning five defenders could leave Chelsea in the coming months,
Bringing in Murillo instantly improves Chelsea’s options, but there is no doubt that as a left-sided centre-back, his arrival will have Badiashile staring at the exit door and Colwill worried about his game time.
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