Chelsea targeting £70 million-rated defender after Maresca makes demands

Jacque Talbot

• 28 Jun 2024 10:00 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are targeting Nottingham Forest’s £70milllion-rated defender Murillo and are looking to propose Trevoh Chalobah as part of the offer.

The Brazilian is a target for new Blues head coach Enzo Maresca, reports The Guardian.

Chelsea already have six centre-backs in their squad but see the 21-year-old as an ideal fit for the upcoming season.

READ MORE: Chelsea one of three clubs under fire as Premier League tighten up transfer 'swap' rules

Murillo - FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value algorithm (ETV) ranks at €20m- moved to the City Ground from Corinthians last summer and impressed in his inaugural campaign, with FootballTransfers revealing that Tottenham and Arsenal were also keen on the youngster.

It’s thought that Chelsea have made initial inquiries about Murillo and Forest have informed them that he would cost £70m.

As a result, Chelsea have suggested Chalobah, an academy graduate, in return. The sale of the defender would help the West London club amid the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations because the money received from home-grown talent is deemed to be pure profit in the accounts.

Chalobah must agree to move

The matter could rest on whether Chalobah would be open to joining Forest as the 24-year-old wants to join a club on his terms.

Compared

Murillo

D (CL)

Nottingham

Murillo

D (CL)

Nottingham

VS

Trevoh Chalobah

D (CR)

Chelsea

Trevoh Chalobah

D (CR)

Chelsea

2023/2024

Season Statistics

2023/2024

36	Appearances	17
46	Interceptions	12
59	Tackles	17
3165	Minutes Played	1227
1679	Passes	918

READ MORE: Euro 2024 most assists

Chelsea signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer this summer window and the club already have Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile in their ranks.

Forest are also feeling the pressure from PRS rules but are set to bring in funds by selling Moussa Niakhateto Lyon.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are nearing completion of a move for 19-year-old centre-back Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors for about £17m, who is expected to move to Strasbourg on loan. They are also poised to complete the signing of the Barcelona forward Marc Guiu after meeting the release clause of £5m.

Furthermore, Chelsea are attempting a late move for Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who worked under Maresca last season, even though Brighton are believed to be at an advanced stage in their pursuit of the 25-year-old.