Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly engaged in a six-way battle to secure the services of Nottingham Forest’s rising star, Murillo. The 21-year-old Brazilian defender has been a standout performer for Forest this season, making 27 appearances since his £12 million move from Corinthians last summer. Murillo had attracted interest from Manchester City, West Ham, and Napoli before making the switch to the City Ground.
However, Forest’s financial troubles could force them to offload players, regardless of their Premier League survival. The club currently finds itself in the relegation zone after being docked four points for breaching profit and sustainability regulations.
Given Murillo’s age, talent, and potential, he is considered one of the prime candidates to leave the club. Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly been impressed by his performances and are monitoring his situation, along with Liverpool and Newcastle, who have also shown interest in the young defender’s seamless adaptation to English football.
Interest in Murillo extends beyond England, with Paris Saint-Germain having recently acquired Brazilian prospects Lucas Beraldo and Gabriel Moscardo for a combined fee of £34 million. As PSG continues to reshape their squad following the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar, they could potentially make a bid for Murillo in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Barcelona is also keeping an eye on the talented defender, as they have already secured the services of another promising young defensive star, Pau Cubarsi, who has been called up to the Spanish national team. Murillo’s versatility as a holding midfielder could make him a potential replacement for the aging Oriol Romeu at Barcelona.
As the transfer battle intensifies, Murillo’s future hangs in the balance, with multiple clubs vying for his signature. Nottingham Forest faces the challenging task of balancing their financial books, and the departure of their prized asset seems increasingly likely.