Chelsea’s ‘transfer priority’ revealed after Murillo rejection
Chelsea are prioritising a move to sign a new centre-back in the summer transfer window after missing out Nottingham Forest’s Murillo in January.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that strengthening Enzo Maresca’s defence will be “crucial”.
Murillo, 22, had emerged as a top target in January, but they were unable to finalise a deal, and he now remains on their list of summer targets.
Forest, however, are reluctant to let their star man leave the club and he is under contract until 2029, placing no pressure on his side to let him go.
As a result, Chelsea may be forced to turn their attentions towards other targets, but Brown has insisted they will bring in a new centre-back one way or another.
Chelsea prioritise new centre-back deal after Murillo rejection
Chelsea caused a stir in the January transfer window when Trevoh Chalobah was recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace amid their desperation to strengthen at the back.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has now insisted that it will take more than just one addition to solve their issues.
“The stability in that Chelsea side is lacking for me,” he told Football Insider.
“Their problems started when they lost Rudiger to Real Madrid, who had done a magnificent job for them, and then they lost Thiago Silva as well.
“With those two at the back, there was stability. You never questioned whether that was a weakness.
“Week in, week out they’d answer all the questions asked of them.
“I look at Chelsea now and I don’t get that feeling, there’s no sense of stability there.
“Signing somebody like Murillo would help with that because he’s a very talented player.
“They couldn’t get that done in January, but he’s definitely still a name on their list.
“I think it will take more than just him to make their defence solid again, but I’m told a new centre-back is a priority there and it’s an area they’re going to look to improve.
“It really is crucial that they strengthen that area of their team if they want to be competitive.”
Latest on Marc Guehi future as Liverpool and Arsenal join race
Another centre-back who has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge is Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi.
The 24-year-old left Chelsea to join Palace in 2021, and has since gone on to establish himself as a regular starter for his country and is one of the most highly-regarded defenders in the division.
Football Insider revealed on 4 February that Liverpool and Arsenal have now joined the race for his signature after Tottenham saw a £70million bid rejected in January.
However, Chelsea remain keen to convince him to return to West London and are expected to step up their efforts to re-sign him come the summer window.
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