Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Benfica regarding a potential move for their £83m-rated defender, Tomás Araújo, ahead of the January transfer window.
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The young centre-back has impressed in Portugal and is now on Chelsea’s radar for an upcoming transfer.
The 22-year-old, who has earned eight caps for Portugal U21s, is highly valued by Benfica. Having come through the club’s academy, Araújo has established himself as a key figure in Benfica’s first-team defense, featuring in 36 games to date.
According to reports from O Jogo, Chelsea are not alone in their interest, with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Newcastle United also monitoring the defender’s progress.
Chelsea had initially attempted to bring Araújo to Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window. However, with time running out, their pursuit was unsuccessful.
Now, as January approaches, the Blues are considering a renewed effort to secure the highly-rated defender, whose release clause is set at €100m (£83m). Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that while a move in January is not guaranteed, Chelsea remain keen to bolster their defensive options.
Romano stated, “Chelsea are actively monitoring the centre-back market. If they can’t finalize a move in January, they may revisit the deal next summer.”
Former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, who played alongside Araújo at Benfica, is full of praise for the 22-year-old. He believes Araújo has the potential to become one of the best defenders in world football in the coming years.
“If he keeps performing like this, he has everything to become one of the best defenders in the world in a year or two,” Vertonghen said.
Araújo helped Benfica secure the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira title in 2023, further boosting his reputation as a rising star in European football.