Chelsea set to battle Liverpool for 21-year-old Premier League defender

Chelsea are planning to sign Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, who is also on the radar of Liverpool

Chelsea have reportedly made inquiries through intermediaries over the potential swoop for Liverpool-linked Nottingham Forest defender Murillo.

Murillo has emerged as a target for the new Blues boss Enzo Maresca to bolster his team’s defensive unit ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The Brazilian enjoyed a solid individual season at City Ground following his move from Corinthians last summer. He played a vital role in helping Nottingham Forest avoid relegation, and for his efforts, the fans voted the centre-back as their Player of the Season for 2023/24.

The 21-year-old’s performances have also caught Liverpool’s attention, but the Telegraph reports it is Chelsea who have made the first move to sign him from Nottingham Forest. The Midlands club could face the wrath of Profit and Sustainability (PSR) again if they do not reportedly raise £ 65 million over the 2023/24 season and record between £20 million and £25 million trading profit before the end of June.

Due to their crunch financial situation and interest from top Premier League clubs, Forest could face a fight to keep hold of Murillo. The aforementioned report says the centre-back could cost in the region of £70m. However, there are chances that the Tricky Trees provide a discount on the fee owing to their need to fulfil PSR.

Chelsea showing concrete interest in signing Murillo should come as a blow for Liverpool. The Reds, under new manager Arne Slot, are in the market for quality signings and reportedly view the signing of a left-footed centre-back as one of their summer priorities.

Murillo, a left-footed centre-back, fits that bill perfectly for Arne Slot’s club. At the age of 21, he could be a smart, long-term investment for Liverpool and the ideal partner for skipper Virgil van Dijk. Having very well adapted to the demands of Premier League football, the Sau Paulo native would be a safe bet when it comes to recruitment.

Liverpool currently have Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez alongside as the centre-back options for next season. Konate’s patchy injury record makes him unreliable as a regular presence at the back, while Quansah has just finished his first season in senior football.

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So, the acquisition of Murillo could benefit the Merseysiders from every angle. However, as things stand, it is Chelsea who are supposedly ahead in the race for the Forest star’s signature.