Arsenal did make an approach for Nottingham Forest defender Murillo before starting negotiations for Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Gunners’s London rivals Chelsea have also held talks with Forest about signing the Brazilian but Jacobs says the player looks set to stay at the City Ground this summer:
“Chelsea haven’t advanced anything yet. Arsenal made an enquiry, but they are right on the brink now of signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, in a deal worth around €45m, so that should shut the door there. The options for Murillo are getting thinner and thinner and thinner.”
Jacobs confirmed remarks that LondonWorld reporter Chris Wheatley made about Arsenal’s interest in Murillo last month.
The centre-back has expressed an interest in joining Arsenal
Speaking in an interview a few weeks ago, Murillo said that he harbours ambitions of moving to a bigger Premier League side. He explicitly mentioned the Gunners (along with Manchester City and Liverpool):
“I’d choose [to join] Manchester City but it would be more difficult for me to be a regular starter given the players they have in their squad. 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.”
Murillo’s price tag has scared off suitors
It’s clear that the centre-half was on the radar of Sporting Director Edu. He closely watches the development of players back in Brazil and he would have also seen his progress after moving to England last year.
However, Forest have reportedly told interested clubs that they want between £60m and £70m for Murillo. It is, therefore, not a complete surprise that the Gunners decided to pursue Calafiori instead.
