Chelsea and Arsenal among clubs eyeing star player from relegation-threatened PL side

Chelsea monitoring Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo

Arsenal Chelsea and Liverpool are keeping an eye on relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo. The Brazilian defender moved to Forest from Corinthians last summer and has since appeared in every game.

According to the Daily Mail, via Metro, Forest will have to raise funds next summer in order to avoid breaking the Premier League FFP after they faced a four-point deduction for violating the league’s profit, profitability, and sustainability rules, which has seen them drop to the relegation zone.

Murillo has been a revelation this season and will help the club generate a satisfactory profit, given the number of clubs keen on signing him. He could be a big coup for other clubs if Forest decides to sell him in the summer.

Forest bought the 21-year-old for £15 million, and every penny has been worth it. He has seemingly adapted to the intensity of the Premier League, and now his performances have been drawing the attention of big English giants.

He boasts solid qualities as a defender but has some flaws, which will automatically improve when he grows in the league. He is strong at blocking shots but weak at duels and passing. He favours long balls and dribbling, but his tendency to commit frequent fouls is concerning.

Considering that he is only 21 and new to the league, things usually go better. He is a muscular, physically intimidating modern-day ball-playing defender who possesses technical skills and quick feet.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Thiago Silva's Chelsea contract will expire after the end of the season. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 26: Thiago Silva’s Chelsea contract will expire after the end of the season. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

He is far from developed, but with the right guidance there is still room for improvement and given polishing still needs to be done before he can be called a Premier League-level defender. It doesn’t seem fair to sign him this season because our defence has been flimsy and has consistently let goals in when pressurized. It will be preferable to opt for an experienced centre-back since we need to add sturdiness at the back.

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It will be wise to give him another season at Forest to develop, then consider signing him. because currently we have too many young centre-backs, and they have flaws that need to improve over time. Signing another defender who is still developing is just adding another untested player to a team in the re-development phase.