Aston Villa reach agreement with Chelsea to sign Ian Maatsen
Chelsea are looking to tap into the English market to engulf the defensive gap with the Champions League contending sides in the league as the West Londoners intensify interest in Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, per The Athletic.
The Blues are in dire need of a new center-back in the upcoming summer transfer window, owing to the loss of personnel in the position. Brazilian center-back Thiago Silva is set to depart Stamford Bridge this summer following his four successful years at Chelsea, and the club could replace the former PSG veteran with another Brazilian CB.
Thiago may not be the only defender to leave in the off-season, but there are also reports linking Trevoh Chalobah to a Chelsea exit around the corner.
Todd Boehly & Co. are said to be one of the sides monitoring the 21-year-old for a possible move this summer, states The Athletic. Murillo has enjoyed some exemplary performances in the recently concluded season, despite Nottingham Forest’s low placing in the English top-tier.
With PSR compliance getting stricter every season, Forest may be forced to sell a marquee player this summer, and who better for Chelsea to target than their player of the season [2023/24] Murillo?
Player turned pundit Pundit Jamie Redknapp claims that he would be an absolute bargain at the expected price that Forest would accept for his services, and he has heaped praise on the player. Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Spurs midfielder said:.
“He possesses a lot of weapons in his armory. He’s got a lovely left foot, which gives you a massive advantage. Can he defend? Yes.
“Then he turns into prime Roberto Carlos with this unbelievable piece of skill. That’s what you want with modern-day center-backs: can they do that?
“He also enjoys defending. He’s obviously a bit deeper (in the instance shown), but he wants to make blocks. He’s only 21 years old. They paid £13 million for him, it seems. He looks like a real bargain. It’s never easy coming to the Premier League, but he’s just adjusted so easily and seamlessly.”
Chelsea will have to beat multiple Premier League sides for his services, and it is to be seen if they go all-gas on securing his signatures.
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