Barcelona and Chelsea are reportedly in direct competition to sign Nottingham Forest's Murillo, in spite of the fact that the defender has just signed a new contract.
The 22-year-old has been a key component of a Forest side who sit in an astonishing third place in the Premier League table, six points shy of leaders Liverpool - who have a game in hand - and level with second-placed Arsenal.
Murillo has netted once in 21 Premier League appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo's team in the current campaign, while also excelling on the defensive front on a weekly basis.
During the Tricky Trees' recent 1-1 stalemate with leaders Liverpool, the 22-year-old made an astounding 17 clearances, the most by any player in one Premier League match this season.
Amid growing interest in Murillo's services, Forest renewed his contract earlier this week until the end of the 2028-29 season, but that has apparently not deterred a couple of suitors.
Barcelona have watched Murillo for 'several months'
© Imago
According to Sport, Barcelona have been keeping an eye on Murillo's displays for "several months", although they are not alone in their admiration of the South American.
Both Chelsea and Juventus are apparently hopeful of prising Murillo away from the City Ground too, but it would take an astronomical fee for Forest to consider letting him leave in 2025.
The Garibaldi paid just €12m (£10.1m) to bring the defender to the club from Corinthians in early 2023, and they could justifiably demand at least five times that amount to sell him now.
As well as his first Forest goal - which came against Newcastle United earlier this season - the highly-rated 22-year-old has also provided two assists in 57 matches for Santo's team over the past year and a half.
The 6ft defender's domestic form was recognised with a first senior Brazil call-up in November, but he was an unused substitute in World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.
Do Chelsea or Barcelona need Murillo more?
© Imago
Earlier in the January transfer window, Barcelona were facing huge uncertainty surrounding the future of current centre-back Ronald Araujo, apparently courted by both Juventus and Arsenal.
However, the Blaugrana confirmed earlier this week that the Uruguayan had penned a fresh contract until 2031, allegedly due to the influence of sporting director Deco, who persuaded him to continue his career in Catalonia.
Meanwhile, a depleted Chelsea backline is currently coping without the injury-plagued Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, the latter of whom is also being linked with an early exit alongside Axel Disasi.
The Blues' recent losses in defence have been Josh Acheampong's gain, although with all due respect to the teenage talent, the imposing and ever-calm Murillo would be a major upgrade.
Do not expect Forest to consider any offers of any amount this month so soon after his renewal, though, and even when the season is over, Chelsea will surely have to break the bank to secure his services.
Ben Knapton
