One of Chelsea and Tottenham's rumoured transfer targets has opened up on his future. In a potential blow to both London rivals, the player in question appears to have committed to his current club for the time being.
The Blues and Spurs have both been linked with Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, who was one of his side's standout performers on the way to Premier League survival last season. And there seems a good chance that he will continue to star for the East Midlands side in 2024/25.
The 22-year-old Brazilian – who joined Forest from Corinthians towards the end of last year's summer transfer window – has stressed the need to carry on getting regular playing time. He hasn't categorically quashed talk of a switch to Stamford Bridge or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium however, revealing his "dream" of playing Champions League football.
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In an interview with The Telegraph, Murillo acknowledged that he might be better off spending at least another campaign at Forest. He said:
"I need regular game time and really feel that with Forest I’m in the best place for my career at the moment. Staying here for another season will enable me to mature as a player and eventually become better prepared if the chance ever comes to play at another level one day."
He went on to admit, though: "Of course, I want to eventually play in the Champions League. When I was growing up, I’d play video games and play with all those teams. Whenever I hear that classic music before the games, it moves me, and it would be a dream to play in that competition."
Murillo joined Forest for around £15m and almost immediately established himself as a key member of the team. His accomplished defensive displays played an important part in securing a 17th-placed Premier League finish.
The Sao Paulo-born star has four years left to run on his contract with the two-time European champions. Transfermarkt currently values him at just under £30m.
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