Nottingham Forest star Murillo confirms Chelsea interest but also open to joining Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City

Nottingham Forest defender Murillo has confirmed he has received ‘interest’ from Chelsea this summer but says he is also open to joining their Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City.

Murillo made 32 Premier League appearances last season, helping Forest avoid relegation to the Championship following a £15m move from Brazilian side Corinthians last summer.

His form attracted the attention of big-spending Chelsea who are in the market for a new centre-back following Thiago Silva’s departure from Stamford Bridge.

With Nottingham Forest now valuing Murillo at around £50m, Chelsea have reportedly indicated they would be willing to send two players to the City Ground to help strike a deal.

The 21-year-old has confirmed he is the subject of ‘interest’ from Chelsea and even suggested he used his move to Forest as a stepping stone.

‘I don’t know if it’s £70m, but I know there was a buzz of interest,’ Murillo said on the Benja Me Mucho podcast. ‘So, I don’t know exactly how much the amount is, but I know there was interest.

‘I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought. I thought: “I’ll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I’ll go to a big club”. I had that in my head.’

Chelsea target Murillo also named Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City as clubs he would be open to joining this summer.

‘I’d choose Manchester City but it would be more difficult for me to be a regular starter given the players they have in their squad,’ he added.

‘There’s City, Arsenal as well, who are fighting for the Premier League title. I wouldn’t discard Liverpool either, it would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club.

‘We don’t know anything for certain, the window opened last month so I’m going to return to Nottingham Forest for pre-season. 

‘There might be some discussions on whether I’ll stay or not so there’s a lot of things to happen still but I’m relaxed.’

Chelsea have already made four signings so far this summer, bringing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu to Stamford Bridge.

Nottingham Forest flirted with relegation last season but eventually finished 17th, six points above the drop zone.

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