Chelsea & Man Utd compete for £68m Benfica defender Tomas Araujo
Chelsea and Manchester United are in a transfer race for Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo, as reported by TEAMtalk. The 24-year-old Portuguese defender emerged from Benfica’s prolific academy, which has developed talents like Ruben Dias and Victor Lindelof.
Araujo made his first-team debut for Benfica in December 2021. After a loan spell at Gil Vicente to secure consistent game time, he has since returned to feature in 118 matches across all competitions. He has established himself as one of the top centre-backs in Portugal and across Europe.
Both Premier League clubs have been observing Araujo closely. Scouts from Chelsea and Manchester United attended his standout performance against AC Milan in the Champions League last month. Despite recently extending his contract until 2031, his release clause remains £68 million. A January transfer is seen as unlikely.
The competition is not limited to just these two clubs; Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Brighton & Hove Albion are also monitoring the 6ft 2in defender.
Araujo's current season statistics highlight his appeal. In seven Primeira Liga appearances, he has completed 94.2% of his passes without being dispossessed. Defensively, he wins 58.6% of his duels and averages 5.41 defensive actions per game.
His acquisition would strengthen the defences of both Manchester United and potentially Xabi Alonso's side. The coming summer will reveal which club meets his £68 million release clause.
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