Nottingham Forest have reportedly rejected a January bid from Chelsea for centre-back Murillo, according to The Telegraph.

With Champions League qualification within reach, Forest have been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season and were determined to keep their squad intact despite interest in several key players.

Chelsea were keen to secure Murillo early in the transfer window, but Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis held firm, refusing to consider a sale. The bid was said to be worth more than the £47.5 million Forest received from Tottenham for Brennan Johnson, which would have made it a record-breaking deal for the club.

As the window closed, Forest successfully retained their key assets, while Chelsea will have to reassess their defensive targets ahead of the summer transfer window.