"He’s getting to be one of my favourite players to watch" - Ian Wright heaps praise on PL star linked with Chelsea and Arsenal
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has lavished praise on Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. The former English forward called the Brazilian center-back one of his 'favourite players to watch' in the Premier League.
Murillo joined Nottingham Forest from boyhood club Corinthians for a reported fee of around £15 million in August 2023. He enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the English top-flight, making 32 league appearances and helping his side avoid relegation by six points.
His stellar performances garnered interest from top EPL sides like Chelsea and Arsenal. The Gunners enquired about him before they moved for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, and the Blues were interested in swapping multiple players for his services in the summer.
Despite the signing of Calafiori, Mikel Arteta's side will likely be looking for more defensive cover with a potential defender exodus on the horizon. The likes of Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have strongly been linked with moves away from the club.
While the Gunners' administration have showcased a real interest in Murillo, he has seemingly found another admirer in the form of club icon Wright. Speaking on the Wrighty's House podcast, the 60-year-old said (via TBR Football):
"The way they (Nottingham Forest) defended, you know, he's getting to be one of my favourite players to watch, Murillo at the back for Forest. He's so good, he's so good on the ball. He's passing out of defense, he's very good."
Nottingham Forest reportedly placed an asking price of £50 million on the 22-year-old in the summer transfer window. With four years remaining on his contract at the club, Arsenal or Chelsea would potentially have to fork out up to £70 million to secure his services.
"I'm calm and analyzing it" - Nottingham Forest defender Murillo opens up on Chelsea and Arsenal links
Nottingham Forest center-back Murillo recently claimed that he was weighing up his options amid rumors linking him with Chelsea and Arsenal.
The 22-year-old Brazilian stated that he had received offers to move to bigger clubs in England, as well as in Italy and Germany. His statements made it clear that he remains open to a move away from the club.
He said (via TBR Football):
"I've received a few offers. Some official, others sounding out. I'll take it up with my manager. They were clubs from England, Italy and Germany. If I stay at Nottingham, I’ll do my best. If I leave, I hope they respect my decision. I'm calm and analyzing it in the best way."
In a candid interview with the Benja Me Mucho podcast in July, Murillo had clarified his ambitions to join a few top Premier League sides in the future. He said (via Liverpool.com):
"I had the dream of playing in the Premier League... 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... 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."
With the winter transfer window set to open in around three-and-a-half months, it will be interesting to see if Murillo makes his dream move to a top Premier League side.