Tottenham Hotspur have missed a number of chances to bring Murillo to the Premier League, now he is heading to La Liga champions Barcelona.
Anyone who watched the 2015 edition of the Copa America will tell you that Jeison Murillo always had the raw talent to be one of the best centre-halves around.
A hugely composed and technically supreme defensive talent, Murillo was one of the real breakthrough starts of a tournament won by Chile, starring at the heart of an experienced and proven Colombia team. He even won the competition’s Best Young Player award.
And, three-and-a-half years on, after spells at Inter Milan and Valencia, it seems that the Cali-born 26-year-old is on the verge of a move that could change his club career. According to Superdeporte, Murillo is about to join none other than Barcelona on an initial loan deal.
Now, should Murillo finally establish himself amongst the mainstream as one of the most promising defenders around, albeit one who hasn’t quite developed as expected, Tottenham Hotspur could have their head in their hands.
According to Corriero Dello Sport in 2016, Tottenham were offered the chance to sign Murillo from Inter Milan in 2016 but turned him down. They then sent scouts to watch the South American star a year later, as reported by the Daily Star (13 April, page 48), but once again a move failed to materialise.
And, with Toby Alderweireld seemingly on his way out of North London when his contract expires next summer, Tottenham are scouring the market for a new centre-back but any deal for Murillo appears to have passed them by.
Who knows, Murillo could end the season as a La Liga and European champion, not to mention establishing himself as Barcelona’s new Gerard Pique. Hypothetical this may be, Tottenham could be left wondering what they missed out on.
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