'Difficult' Nottingham Forest transfer message sent as potential Murillo swap deal emerges

Nottingham Forest's Murillo
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


Juventus are said to have joined Chelsea in making clear their interest in Nottingham Forest ace Murillo. The Brazilian has a considerable list of admirers after a sparkling first season in the Premier League.

He joined the Reds from Corinthians last summer for £11 million and took to English football with ease, leading to plenty of speculation about his future this summer. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Juve have asked about “the conditions of” a potential deal for Murillo.

However, Forest are well aware of the defender’s value. It is said any attempt to prise Murillo away would be “expensive and difficult” to do. That is not least because the impending sale of Moussa Niakhate to Lyon will give the Reds a significant boost as they look to keep within Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

READ MORE: Forest announce pre-season plans as 'exciting opportunity' outlined

READ MORE: Join our Forest WhatsApp group to get the latest news direct to your phone

Juventus showing their hand comes on the back of Chelsea doing the same. The Blues are said to have approached Forest about the possibility of doing a deal.

Reports have suggested the Reds want £50m for Murillo - although somewhere between £60m and £70m seems more likely - but the London side are not prepared to meet that valuation. Instead, Chelsea could offer a cash-plus-players deal.

The Guardian report they have spoken about offering Trevor Chalobah as part of a bid for Murillo. Forest made a bid for Chalobah last summer but the defender was not keen on a switch to the City Ground at that time. And his stance may not have changed as it is said he “would prefer” to join a club offering European football.

Although Chelsea and Juventus are the first sides to test the waters with regards to Murillo, they are not the only ones with an eye on the 21-year-old. Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester United, PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with him.

Should Forest let Murillo go this summer? Click HERE to have your say