Chelsea and Tottenham have initiated contact as they look to sign Sporting CP defensive mainstay Maximiliano Araujo.
Maximiliano Araujo’s consistent performances for Sporting CP have placed him on the wishlist of Tottenham and Chelsea, who are both keen on reinforcing their backline this summer. According to Record via SportWitness, both London clubs have already established contact with the Uruguayan international’s agents as they explore a summer move.
Now they are set to scout him in Sporting’s Champions League fixture against Arsenal. With the Portuguese outfit squaring up against the North London club in the UCL quarter-finals, Chelsea and Tottenham have two golden opportunities to assess the left-back against high-quality opposition.
Araujo made the move to the Portuguese club in the summer of 2024 from Toluca. He has gone on to establish himself as a key figure in the team and has been doing wonders for them. The 26-year-old has been involved in 36 matches this term and has even contributed towards 10 goals.
While he prefers playing as a left-back, he is comfortable enough to take up any role on the left flank and can even feature in creative roles in the centre of the park. On the back of his sensational performances for Sporting in Europe, Chelsea and Tottenham are after him.
London clubs could battle it out for Araujo
They scouted him during the international break against England and have already been in contact with his agents, as they explore a summer move. Now, both London clubs have sent scouts to Portugal to watch him in action against their rivals, Arsenal.
While they want to sign him in the summer, Sporting intend to keep hold of him for another season despite increasing interest. Araujo’s contract runs until 2029, and he has a massive release clause worth €80 million. The report suggests interested clubs will have to reach at least €40 million for their offers to be considered.
The player would certainly love to make the jump to the Premier League, and both Chelsea and Tottenham would love to have an attack-minded full-back like him. However, it won’t be that straightforward a move.
