Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar is reportedly a huge fan of a current Premier League player.
The Gunners are expected to bolster Mikel Arteta’s options in defence this summer, with a new left-back likely to be a priority.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney have both been told they are free to leave this summer while Jakub Kiwior is likely to stay.
Despite the return of Jurrien Timber for the final game of last season, should Zinchenko and Tierney depart, Arsenal will need extra cover at left-back and in central defence.
One player who the Gunners have been keeping close tabs on is Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo.
It was claimed back in March that Murillo is on Arsenal’s radar after an impressive debut campaign at the City Ground.
Now, journalist Chris Wheatley has claimed that Edu Gaspar is particularly keen on snapping up the Brazilian.
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Edu pushing for Arsenal to sign Murillo
Speaking on Shots TV, Wheatley discussed some of the defenders currently on Arsenal’s radar.
While the journalist claims Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo has been mentioned recently, Edu ‘really likes’ Murillo.
“A name was mentioned to me a few weeks ago and that was Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice,” Wheatley said. “He’s, again, really sought-after, Man United have been the main name linked with him. But interestingly, I heard that he was above other players on Arsenal’s shortlist.
“The Nottingham Forest defender Murillo – he’s attracted a lot of interest, of course, he had an amazing first season at Forest. Plucked from Corinthians and he’s really caught a lot of interest from teams across the Premier League. Tottenham, as well, really like him.
“I think it’s more Edu at Arsenal who really likes Murillo than Arteta. But Todibo, he’s the one that was mentioned to me. It will be interesting to see exactly what happens to him this summer but I think Man United, at the moment, are probably frontrunners for his signature.”
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Where Murillo would fit in at Arsenal
Murillo would be an excellent addition to Arteta’s young side and given his ability on the ball, he could also play at full-back.
Arteta has transformed Ben White into one of the Premier League’s best right-backs and Murillo arguably has even greater qualities on the ball.
The left-footed defender would also be able to provide top-quality cover for Gabriel Magalhaes.
Forest paid just £15 million to land the 21-year-old last summer but could reportedly demand in excess of £50 million to offload him just a year later.