Report: Arsenal now ready to challenge Spurs for 21-year-old Premier League star

Football Transfers have claimed that Arsenal have now entered the race to sign Tottenham target Murillo from Nottingham Forest this summer.

It has been widely reported that Spurs wish to add reinforcements to their backline this summer and Murillo is one of the names thought to be on the Lilywhites’ radar.

Tottenham only currently have Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven and Radu Dragusin as out-and-out senior centre-back options.

Football Insider stated last week that Ange Postecoglou’s men have been impressed with the Brazilian’s debut season in the Premier League while Football.London’s Alasdair Gold also confirmed a couple of days ago that Spurs are admirers of the 21-year-old.

Spurs have competition from Arsenal for Murillo

Football Transfers have now stated that Tottenham have competition to contend with from their North London rivals, with Arsenal said to have joined in the race to sign Murillo.

Mikel Arteta is said to be keen on adding another top centre-back to his squad, with the Gunners now setting their sights on the Forest stopper.

The report adds that as things stand, Tottenham have shown ‘the most interest’ in the young defender, who is alleged to be valued by Nuno Espirito Santo’s men at around £60m-£70m.

It appears that neither club has actually submitted a bid for Murillo as of yet.

Murillo nearly made a name for himself at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season when he came inches away from finding the back of the net from inside his own half.

Spurs Web Opinion

There is no chance that Tottenham would consider paying more than £40m for a fourth-choice centre-back, particularly given that additions in other areas of the pitch are bigger priorities for Ange Postecoglou this summer.

I don’t expect Spurs to spend more than around £20m on a new central defender this summer.

The below stats do not exactly shout about a player who Tottenham should be looking to allocate a chunk of their summer budget on.