Could Murillo improve Chelsea’s defensive struggles?placeholder image
Could Murillo improve Chelsea’s defensive struggles? | Getty Images
Liam Rosenior could be locking in on his number one defensive target for Chelsea this summer.
Chelsea are reportedly showing ‘strong and serious’ interest in a summer transfer swoop for Nottingham Forest defender Murillo as Liam Rosenior looks to improve his back line.
The Blues have been linked with the 23-year-old in recent months and the latest report from TeamTALK fuels the flames of a potential bid. It’s ‘increasingly likely’ that relegation-threatened Forest would sanction a summer sale.
However, that will not come cheap, with a £70 million asking price put on the defender’s head. Liverpool are also claimed to be seriously interested, having missed out on long standing interest in former Crystal Palace man Marc Guehi.
TeamTALK claims that Chelsea are ‘leading the pursuit’ with ‘extensive groundwork’ conducted over the past 12 months. The Blues even considered a bid for the player last summer with his ball-playing abilities fitting what is needed at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool already have Jeremy Jacquet arriving at Anfield in the summer but will need another addition should Ibrahima Konate depart upon the expiry of his contract.
Chelsea leading race for £70m Nottingham Forest defender
Murillo’s camp are said to be actively assessing opportunities for the player to make the move to a top six team in the Premier League - Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs could all be potential destinations at the end of the campaign.
There is also believed to be interest from Europe with Bayern Munich linked and supposedly confident of beating Premier League interest. Murillo is contracted at the City Ground until 2029, which would give the Midlands outfit negotiating power. However, relegation to the Championship could see that £70 million asking price reduced.
Forest paid just £15 million to sign Murillo from Corinthians in August 2023. He has gone on to make 103 appearances for the club.
Former Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall had deemed Murillo to be worth £50 million when speaking about the player 12 months ago, labelling the defender as ‘amazing’. He told The Guardian: “He’s quick, strong, can head it, reads danger really well. I think that’s something that you watch for with players who are good with the ball who play centre-back. They dribble with it and they pass it and whatever, but can they defend? He can read danger.
“He’s in the right place at the right time. It’s no fluke – he just knows, it’s something that he’s checking. He’s worth well north of £50m in my eyes. It’ll be a travesty if Forest let him go for a penny less.”
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