Chelsea now want to sign top Premier League defender who Jamie Redknapp called 'Roberto Carlos.'

Chelsea have made strong inquiries about Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian defender Murillo, according to reports in the Guardian.

The Blues are in the market for a defender to replace Thiago Silva, who left the club at the end of last season after four brilliant years at Stamford Bridge, where he won the Champions League among other trophies.

The 21-year-old joined the Premier League in a £15 million deal from Brazilian side Corinthians last August and was one of Forest’s standout performers last term as they narrowly avoided relegation. Liverpool had also been linked to the 21-year-old defender as former manager Jurgen Klopp searched for a left-footed centre-back, but his loss was Nuno Espirito Santo’s gain.

Murillo impressed massively on his debut, which led to praise from former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, who called him ‘Roberto Carlos’, the Brazilian left-back who was an absolute star for Real Madrid at the turn of the millennium.

Redknapp told Sky Sports after the Brazilian impressed on his debut: "He's going to be a real fan favourite. Every club's going to be looking at this guy. He possesses a lot of weapons in his armoury. He's got a lovely left foot, which gives you a massive advantage. Can he defend? Yes. Then he turns into prime Roberto Carlos with this unbelievable piece of skill. That's what you want with modern-day center-backs."

Chelsea have bagged Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer after he turned down a contract offer from Fulham to move to Stamford Bridge.

He was manager Enzo Maresca’s first signing of the summer before the club confirmed the signing of Estevão Willian, with the 17-year-old not expected at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2025.

The Blues are set to return for pre-season next week, with new manager Maresca starting work officially on Monday, July 1st, 2024.