Ezno Maresca still hoping to add to his Chelsea squad (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea will have to pay in the region of £60 million if they hope to sign one of their key transfer targets this summer.
By their own recent standards, the Blues have been relatively frugal in the transfer market so far.
Enzo Maresca’s squad has been bolstered by the arrivals of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen and Tosin Adarabioyo, while youngsters Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu have been signed with a view to the future.
The new Chelsea boss will hope to make significant additions between now and the start of the new season with defensive reinforcements high on the list of priorities to address.
Thiago Silva’s emotional departure at the end of last season has created a massive void and although Adarabioyo, a free signing from Fulham, boasts plenty of Premier League experience it is unlikely he will be able to directly replace the influence of the Brazilian legend.
Silva’s compatriort, Murillo, has emerged as a key target for the Blues following his superb debut campaign for Nottingham Forest.
The 22-year-old played a key role in helping ensure Premier League survival for Forest, who bought the central defender for just €12 million from Corinthians a year ago.
Murillo is open to leaving Nottingham Forest this summer (Picture: Getty)
According to the Daily Mail, Forest will drive a hard bargain for one of their prize assets and only a bid in the region of £60 million will bring them to the negotiating table.
Murrillo, meanwhile, has confirmed he is the subject of ‘interest’ from Chelsea and even suggested he used his move to Forest as a stepping stone.
‘I don’t know if it’s £70m, but I know there was a buzz of interest,’ Murillo said on the Benja Me Mucho podcast. ‘So, I don’t know exactly how much the amount is, but I know there was interest.
‘I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought. I thought: “I’ll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I’ll go to a big club”. I had that in my head.’
Chelsea have expressed interest in the Brazilian defender (Picture: Getty)
Murillo also named Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City as clubs he would be open to joining this summer.
‘I’d choose Manchester City but it would be more difficult for me to be a regular starter given the players they have in their squad,’ he added.
‘There’s City, Arsenal as well, who are fighting for the Premier League title. I wouldn’t discard Liverpool either, it would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club.
‘We don’t know anything for certain, the window opened last month so I’m going to return to Nottingham Forest for pre-season.
‘There might be some discussions on whether I’ll stay or not so there’s a lot of things to happen still but I’m relaxed.’
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