Chelsea and Liverpool are both vying for Nottingham Forest’s standout centre-back, Murillo, with Chelsea taking an aggressive approach to secure the young defender.
The 21-year-old Brazilian joined Nottingham Forest last summer for £11 million and quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising defenders.
Despite his integral role in Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad, Nottingham Forest may need to offload Murillo due to financial pressures.
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The club must generate approximately £20 million before the end of the financial year to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations. Although Murillo is valued at £70 million, Forest might have to consider offers closer to £40 million to meet their financial targets.
Liverpool, in search of a long-term successor to Joel Matip, have shown considerable interest in Murillo. Reports indicate that the Reds are preparing a bid for the defender this week, highlighting their urgent need to bolster their defensive lineup.
However, Chelsea are determined to outmaneuver Liverpool in this transfer race. Sources from Brazil, referenced by Football365, suggest that Chelsea have already made an approach to sign Murillo. The London club has reportedly proposed a swap deal, offering two players plus cash to sweeten the deal for Nottingham Forest.
Forest are currently evaluating Chelsea’s proposal. Meanwhile, Murillo’s former club, Corinthians, is closely monitoring the situation due to a 10% sell-on clause in his contract. Despite the speculation, insiders indicate that Chelsea’s interest in a swap deal might be premature. Nonetheless, Chelsea remain serious contenders and are keen to finalize the transfer swiftly.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Murillo aligns with their need to find a replacement for Thiago Silva, whose contract ends this summer. Murillo, having made 32 Premier League appearances last season and played a crucial role in Forest’s campaign to avoid relegation despite a four-point deduction, fits Chelsea’s profile for a robust defensive addition.
The situation is fluid, with both Chelsea and Liverpool poised to escalate their efforts in the coming days. As the financial deadline approaches for Nottingham Forest, Murillo’s future could be decided quickly, potentially making him a pivotal figure in the transfer dealings of this summer.
