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Chelsea in pole position to sign €80m Premier League ace
Tom Weber
- Updated: 17 Feb 2026 15:09 GMT
- 4 min read
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Chelsea are leading the race for Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, according to a report.
The Brazilian has become one of the standout performers for the Reds since joining the club from Corinthians for €12 million in 2023. Murillo has consistently impressed at the City Ground, and he has been tipped to complete a major transfer for some time.
With Nottingham Forest now battling against relegation, this summer will likely see several big-name stars depart. Murillo could be one of them, given that he has no shortage of suitors.
Current ETV
Murillo
D (C)
N. Forest
Murillo
D (C)
N. Forest
ETV Range
€59M - €72.1M
Chelsea are known to be long-standing admirers of the 23-year-old. In fact, CaughtOffside claims that the Blues are in pole position to secure his signing, but striking a deal will not be easy.
Murillo is still tied to Forest until 2029. Regardless of their place in the table, this long-term contract puts them in a relatively strong negotiating position, one that will become even stronger if they remain in the Premier League.
Murillo to cost €80m
As a result, trying to sign the Brazil international will be an expensive undertaking. The report claims that Forest could demand as much as €80 million to sell Murillo this summer.
This would make him one of the most expensive centre-back signings in Premier League history. Chelsea, having done the most background work on him, could certainly afford such a deal.
However, whether signing yet another expensive centre-back is the correct way forward is a different question. Chelsea have so many options at the club already, and new head coach Liam Rosenior seems to rate his former Strasbourg protégé Mamadou Sarr very highly.
In addition to Chelsea, it is also claimed that Liverpool are keenly tracking the Forest star. The Reds have already beaten the Blues to the signing of Stade Rennais wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet, and they will have Giovanni Leoni back from his ACL injury next season.
However, with Virgil van Dijk declining, Ibrahima Konate out of contract and Joe Gomez having tried to leave the club in each of the last two summer windows, more defensive signings may be required.
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