The January transfer window is heating up with a potential London battle, as both Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Nottingham Forest's highly-rated Brazilian defender Murillo, valued at a substantial £70 million.
Title Rivals Turned Transfer Adversaries
The interest in the 23-year-old centre-back emerges as the two clubs find themselves as the Premier League's top two teams. Arsenal solidified their lead with a commanding 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham, a result made sweeter by losses for both Manchester City and Liverpool.
Their closest challengers are now Chelsea, who secured a 2-0 win against Burnley, placing them six points behind the Gunners. This proximity in the title race is adding an extra layer of intrigue to their shared pursuit of defensive reinforcement.
Murillo Shines in Forest's Anfield Triumph
The catalyst for the renewed transfer speculation was Murillo's outstanding performance for Nottingham Forest in their stunning 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. This result was Forest's best of the season and provided crucial breathing space in their fight against relegation.
Under manager Sean Dyche, the team delivered a disciplined display that thoroughly overwhelmed the hosts. Murillo was the standout performer, not only helping his team secure a clean sheet but also scoring the opening goal in the 33rd minute.
His commanding display earned him a match rating of 8.7/10 from FotMob, the highest of any Forest player on the pitch, confirming his status as one of the league's most promising young defenders.
Summer Interest and Winter Complications
This is not the first time Murillo has attracted attention from top clubs. Chelsea were linked with a move for the defender in the summer, but were ultimately deterred by Forest's £70 million-plus valuation.
According to a report from Caught Offside, the Blues are considering reigniting their interest, especially with a potential title challenge on the cards. However, they face direct competition, with the same report indicating that Mikel Arteta is also a big admirer of the player and sees him as valuable cover for his first-choice pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba, both of whom have faced injury issues this season.
Despite the links, a January move appears complicated. Renowned transfers journalist Fabrizio Romano has stated that he does not expect Chelsea to pursue a defender, particularly an expensive one, in the upcoming window.
Romano clarified last week, "At the moment it is very quiet. Chelsea are happy with their squad and are not seeking any player and have not started any conversations with any new centre-backs for the January window." He added that the club felt no impactful defender was available last summer, suggesting a move in the 2025 summer transfer window is more probable.
Since joining Nottingham Forest in 2023, Murillo has made 87 appearances, scoring three goals and providing two assists, firmly establishing himself as a key player and a rising star in English football.
