Chelsea saw a bid for the 22-year-old defender rejected in the January transfer window.

Chelsea are looking to finish Enzo Maresca’s first season at Stamford Bridge on a high finishing in the top four of the Premier League table this season.

The Blues are currently fourth in the league table, 13 points away from Liverpool, and two points clear in the top four ahead of Manchester City. They were knocked out of the FA Cup in their last game, a 2-1 defeat to Brighton over the weekend.

The Seagulls will host Chelsea again in their next Premier League game on Friday night, as Maresca hopes to get revenge on Brighton and get Chelsea’s second win in their last four matches.

They failed to sign a defender during the January transfer window, but did lose Axel Disasi, who joined Aston Villa on loan. However, the Blues will likely target a centre-back in the summer, and they could re-ignite their interest in a Nottingham Forest star.

Chelsea’s interest in Murillo will “not go away”

Chelsea have previously been linked to Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, who has impressed in the Premier League this season.

The Brazilian has made 23 league appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this season. He hopes to help Forest to a top-four finish and their first European appearance since the 1995/96 season when they competed in the UEFA Cup.

The Blues were reportedly keen on Murillo both in the summer and January. They saw a bid rejected for the 22-year-old during the transfer window, as Forest compete with Maresca’s side for a top-four place.

However, according to Football Insider, Chelsea’s interest in Murillo “won’t go away” and they are set to re-ignite their interest in the Brazilian during the summer transfer window. But, despite Chelsea’s hefty transfer budget, and free-spending attitude, the report does suggest that it could be a hard deal to complete, especially considering that Forest have emerged as a surprise rival for Maresca.

Marc Guehi deal could be more likely than Murillo

If it looks as though Chelsea could struggle to sign Murillo in the summer transfer window, they could instead re-ignite thier interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. The Blues were linked to the England international, although it was London rivals Tottenham who made a bid for him in the January transfer window.

Spurs saw a £70m offer rejected by Palace, as they looked to strengthen in defence, where they have faced a lot of injury problems this season. Palace kept Guehi, who has made 23 appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring three goals and one assist.

Newcastle United had also shown an interest in Guehi during the last summer transfer window, meaning that all three could make a bid to sign him this year, which would likely drive up his price. Although seeing as Palace aren’t as much of a rival with Chelsea for European football, they could be more willing to sell the 24-year-old than Forest are to selling Murillo.