Chelsea and Tottenham have received a boost in their pursuit of Maximiliano Araujo, as Gustavo Ferreyra expects him to join a bigger club.
Maximiliano Araujo has been a standout performer for Sporting CP in the ongoing campaign, and his work has not gone unnoticed. A host of top clubs would love to sign the South American full-back, who is set to enter his prime years.
Premier League giants Tottenham and Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the 26-year-old in recent weeks. The London clubs are closely monitoring him ahead of a potential transfer, and he has been strengthening his case with every performance.
Gustavo Ferreyra on Araujo’s future
Araujo could end up joining a bigger club this summer, according to former Uruguay youth coach Gustavo Ferreyra. While speaking to O Jogo, the 53-year-old talked quite highly about the Sporting defender and made a clear prediction about his future amidst interest from Spurs and the Blues.
He said via Sport Witness, “Honestly, it’s not a surprise for me. A player like Maxi, with his qualities, capable of playing as a full-back, as a winger, and covering the entire flank with the same determination and intensity, is not easy to find. Because of that, I say he will certainly reach one of the big clubs being talked about.”
The 26-year-old has been in fine form this season. He has been involved in 38 matches and has racked up over 3,000 minutes. Araujo has ten goal contributions to his name, and he has been used all across the left flank, which has been the case for most of his career.
Ferreyra, who shaped his early career, is not surprised by the Uruguayan international’s rise to the top. Maxaimiliano Araujo’s ability to take up any role on the left flank and play with the same intensity is something not many players have. With him now performing consistently at the highest level, the 53-year-old feels he is ready to make the jump to a bigger club.
London clubs are at work to sign Araujo
While a number of clubs are after Maximiliano Araujo, Chelsea and Tottenham are the most serious suitors. They have already established contact with the 26-year-old’s representatives and have been scouting him consistently in recent weeks.
Scouts from Chelsea and Tottenham were in the stands at Alvalade to watch Sporting take on Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. While the Portuguese club ended up losing, the scouts were impressed with Araujo’s energetic performance.
The Blues seek someone who can compete with Marc Cucurella for a place in the starting XI. While Spurs are packed at left-back, they could part ways with Destiny Udogie to make room for Araujo. His versatility is one of the major reasons why both London clubs are after him.
Meanwhile, Sporting CP are reluctant to let him leave, and they do have a strong position with his contract running until 2029 and a release clause worth €80 million. However, the report suggests an offer of over €40 million could tempt them.
