The 22-year-old has been the subject of many rumours over the past few weeks with Forest reportedly valuing him at £60million, a price that the Gunners and the Blues may be wary of after already having made defensive signings of their own in the transfer window.
Enzo Maresca's era at Stamford Bridge began with the signing of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo and has added onto the 26-year-old with the arrival of Renato Veiga from FC Basel and young American full-back Caleb Wiley. Mikel Arteta's side have long been linked with Riccardo Calafiori with the Italian in the last legs of his move from Bologna, meaning a move for Murillo is unlikely to be on the cards this summer.
Having joined Forest from Brazilian outfit Corinthians for £10m, Murillo has drummed up interest from major clubs in England after helping Nuno Espirito Santos' side avoid relegation even after their points deduction they received for breaking the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSRs).
He's quickly become a cult hero with Forest fans, having been hailed for his dramatic goal-line clearances and audacious efforts on goal from inside his own half. Now though, he's admitted that whilst he doesn't see himself staying in Nottingham long-term, he's willing to get more minutes under his belt before making a switch to some of the major players in English football.
"I need regular game-time and really feel that with Forest I’m in the best place for my career," he told the Telegraph. "Staying here for another season will enable me to mature as a player and eventually become better prepared if the chance ever comes to play at another level one day.
"Of course I want to eventually play in the Champions League. When I was growing up I’d play video games and play with all those teams. Whenever I hear that classic music before the games it moves me, and it would be a dream to play in that competition.
"But I’ve been focusing on my work here 100 per cent and I just want to do my best. Forest is a massive club in its own right and I feel good here. It was a season where I learned a lot and at first I wasn’t sure whether I would prove my value.
"I always believed in my potential but was questioning myself. With a lot of work I managed to have a good season and, God willing, it will be even better this season. I still believe I can do better. As a team we also believe we will fight for a better position and have higher ambitions."
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