Both Chelsea and Tottenham have been linked to one of Nottingham Forest’s top players from last season.
Nottingham Forest defender Murillo has refused to end all speculation linking him away from the club by insisting he’d love to play in the Champions League. The player has been open with his desire to reach Europe’s elite competition but admitted it might be in his interest to stay at the City Ground for one more season. Forest value the 22-year-old, who was signed from Corinthians for £10million, at around £60million, with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Atletico Madrid among the clubs interested in his services.
Both Chelsea, who will play in the Europa Conference League this season, and Tottenham, who will take part in the Europa League, are thought to be quite keen on him. Earlier in the summer, Chelsea were reportedly willing to offer two players in a potential swap deal..
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This was at a time when both clubs were looking to meet the Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, and the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo has somewhat lessened the demand for a new centre-back at Chelsea, for the time being.
Spurs had monitored the player from his days with Corinthians and were beaten to his signature by Forest, who took a chance on him. But as the summer transfer window heats up and clubs in the Premier League and Europe discuss transfers, he admits he wants to play in the Champions League someday.
He said in an interview with The Telegraph: “I need regular game time and really feel that with Forest I’m in the best place for my career at the moment. Staying here for another season will enable me to mature as a player and eventually become better prepared if the chance ever comes to play at another level one day. Of course, I want to eventually play in the Champions League. When I was growing up, I’d play video games and play with all those teams. Whenever I hear that classic music before the games, it moves me, and it would be a dream to play in that competition.”
Last season, Chelsea finished sixth, one place below Spurs who came fifth, but both will be hoping to challenge Manchester City for the title or at least finish in the Champions League spots next season.