Chelsea are interested in signing 26-year-old Uruguayan international Maximiliano Araujo from Sporting CP this summer.
Maximiliano Araujo has been excellent for the Portuguese club, and he has also attracted the attention of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
As per a report by Record via Sport Witness, Chelsea are intensifying their efforts to sign the Sporting CP wide man, and they are ready to advance their move for him.
The Blues have sanctioned Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid, and they need to replace him properly. Chelsea have Jorrel Hato at their disposal as well, but he is a young player lacking experience. They need someone who can come in and make an immediate impact.
Araujo has already shown his quality against elite UEFA Champions League clubs, and he is in a better position to make an impact in the Premier League quickly. The Spanish international was a key player for them, and they need to fill his void with another quality option.
He also has the physicality and technical attributes to succeed in the Premier League. The Uruguayan international has shown he can be a reliable defender and contribute in the final third. He recorded 13 goal contributions in all competitions last season.
The player has an €80 million release clause in his contract, as confirmed by The Mirror, but it is fair to assume that no club will want to pay that kind of money for a full-back. The Portuguese outfit will have to be reasonable with their demands. Meanwhile, the opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for the 26-year-old defender. It could be the ideal next step for him, and he will look to prove himself at the highest level.
Tottenham moving for Araujo would be a surprise
Meanwhile, the links with Tottenham are quite surprising. They already have players like Andrew Robertson, Souza, Destiny Udogie, and Ben Davies at their disposal. They do not need to invest in another left-back and should look to strengthen their midfield.
It will be interesting to see if Tottenham decide to make a move for him in the coming weeks. The 26-year-old will want to play regularly next season, and joining Chelsea would be ideal for him. He is likely to be the first-choice left-back at Stamford Bridge next season after Cucurella’s exit.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have also been linked with the South American. They need a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw, who is on the wrong side of 30. The Uruguayan international could be a solid investment for them. The Red Devils have an attractive project, and they can offer him Champions League football next season. That could give them an edge over Chelsea and Tottenham in the race.
