£70m option wanted by Liverpool set to be off the market if contract talks with Champions League hopefuls succeed | OneFootball

A player Chelsea have been fairly regularly linked to appears to be going off the market.

Nottingham Forest are flying ridiculously high this season, and their rock solid defence has been the key to that. Central defender Murillo was being linked with the Blues and Liverpool not long ago, and it looks like the Tricky Trees are going to respond by handing him a new contract.

CaughtOffside say he’s been on top teams’ radars for a year now, and the Athletic name check Chelsea specifically as an interested party. These rumours have been around for a while, but the recent injuries to Benoit Badiashlle and Wesley Fofana have increased the chatter about the Blues potentially signing a new centre back, and Murillo would surely be on the shortlist.

It’s almost certain he makes the jump to a top 4 regular one day – but in the meantime he’s on course to make the Champions League this season, and so Forest can reward him richly to tie him down.

Chelsea not in a position to pay £70m fee which could result from serious bidding war

Murillo plays for Nottingham Forest.

A potential asking price of £70m has been put out there by some sources, which is crazy money but shows how desperate the club are to to keep their 22 year old potential superstar locked down for their bright future.

If he keeps playing at this level for the rest of this season and then we see a bidding war between top teams in the summer, numbers could reach that high. But given it’s January and Chelsea have to make a lot of sales before they’re in a position to think about buying anyone, it seems impossible they make a move this month, even if they do decide they want more options in that position.