Chelsea hope to boost their chances of signing Murillo by including Trevoh Chalobah as part of a bid for the Nottingham Forest defender.
Murillo has emerged as a target for Enzo Maresca, even though Chelsea’s squad already contains six centre-backs, and Forest could face a fight to keep the 21-year-old.
The Brazilian, who moved to the City Ground from Corinthians last summer, is earning admiring glances after enjoying an impressive debut season in England. Chelsea have made initial inquiries about Murillo, who could cost £70m, and have spoken about offering Chalobah to Forest.
Chalobah, who is capable of playing at centre-back and right-back, is up for sale. Selling the defender would be helpful for Chelsea in the context of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations because money received for academy products registers as pure profit in the accounts. The accounting deadline is on Sunday.
However it remains to be seen whether Chalobah would be open to joining Forest. Although there is plenty of competition for places in Chelsea’s defence, the 24-year-old wants to join a club on his terms.
Chalobah’s departure became likelier after Chelsea signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer, given that Maresca also has Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile at his disposal. But Chalobah, who is being tracked by Manchester United, would prefer to join a club competing in Europe. Forest battled against relegation last season.
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They are under pressure not to breach PSR and that could make them vulnerable to offers for Murillo. However Forest are set to bring in funds by selling Moussa Niakhaté to Lyon.
Chelsea have focused heavily on bringing in youth and are close to signing the 19-year-old centre-back Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors for about £17m. The Argentinian youngster is expected to move to Strasbourg on loan. Chelsea are also poised to complete the €6m (£5m) signing of the Barcelona forward Marc Guiu. It remains to be seen whether they move for another striker. Chelsea are one of the clubs interested in Lille’s Jonathan David.
Chelsea are also attempting to hijack Brighton’s move for the Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Brighton are believed to be an advanced stage in their pursuit of the 25-year-old but they risk being outmuscled by Chelsea. Dewsbury-Hall was a key player for Maresca at Leicester last season. Leicester are at risk of a points deduction for breaching the Premier League’s PSR rules and it is thought that they would benefit from a key sale. Dewsbury-Hall is an academy product.
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Europa League winners Atalanta have joined Lyon in pursuit of Ben Godfrey, with the Everton defender in line to join the Serie A club for a fee of around €10m.
Godfrey, who joined Everton from Norwich for £25m in 2020, will be out of contract at Goodison Park next summer and has been unable to secure his favoured central defensive role under Sean Dyche.
Lyon have offered Everton around £12.7m for the 26-year-old but his preference is understood to be Atalanta, who will compete in the Champions League next season. A sale before the end of this month will help Everton with their Premier League profitability and sustainability targets. The club insist they are under no pressure to sell Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite and will not countenance a cut-price offer for the England international.