Chelsea will be given a boost in their pursuit of long-term transfer target Murillo if recent reports from the Daily Mail are true. The Nottingham Forest centre-back is willing to explore new opportunities and his introduction could see the Blues reignite their interest and compete with Real Madrid for his services.
The 23-year-old Brazil international cut his teeth at the likes of San Caetano, ECUS, San Bernardo and União Barbarense before joining the esteemed Corinthians academy after returning to his home country. There he made significant progress with the first team, earning the attention of several European heavyweights including Napoli, Manchester City and West Ham United.
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However, Forest won the race for the Selecao’s ace and bought him in the summer of 2023 for around €12 million (plus €3 million in add-ons). He soon became a regular under Steve Cooper and continued to flourish following the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo. His outstanding performance on the defensive line not only helped the Tricky Tree team successfully avoid relegation, but also witnessed the team’s dramatic rise in the following season. They finished seventh in the Premier League table and thus qualified for the UEFA Europa League.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Murillo of Nottingham Forest celebrates his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Sean Botterill/Getty Images)
Murillo previously admitted that he dreams of playing in the Champions League, but he chose to reject Chelsea’s invitation to develop at the City Stadium.
“I don’t know if it’s £70m but I know there’s a lot of interest. I dream of playing in the Premier League and I have that idea. I think I’ll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I’ll go to a big club. I have that idea in my head.”
A year ago, he was interviewed on the Benja Me Mucho podcast.
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Forest are enduring a turmoil so far this season that began with a bitter row between Nuno and club owner Evangelos Marinakis at the end of last season. The fallout culminated in the Portuguese’s sacking in September, while a failed decision to hire Anj Postecoglou led to another dismissal just over a month later.
Their current manager, Sean Dyche, is working hard to stabilize the squad, but West Bridgford are heading towards another relegation battle, undoing all the good work Nuno and his backroom staff have done heading into the 2024-25 season.
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Chelsea, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency under Enzo Maresca. They performed well against strong teams but dropped crucial points against struggling teams such as Leeds United and Bournemouth. While there are plenty of options at the heart of the defence, the injury absence of Levi Colwell leaves them vulnerable, with Benoit Badyashle, Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevor Chalobah unable to step in and make an impact on a weekly basis. Teenage duo Jorel Hutto and Josh Acheampong are yet to adapt to the rigors and demands of the Premier League, while Wesley Fofana’s ongoing fitness issues remain a major concern.
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Although Forest will not let him leave before the summer and will only accept bids significantly higher than those for Anthony Elanga (who is currently on the market for a club-record £55m to join Newcastle United), Murillo has proven his worth in the English game, showcasing his physicality and aerial superiority in deep defense. He is also a threat from set-pieces and a move to Stamford Bridge would benefit both the Blues and the player in achieving their respective ambitions and goals.
