Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have held ‘exploratory talks with Sporting Club de Portugal star Maxi Araújo’s agents about a move.
A Bola report that the 26-year-old’s brilliance in the Champions League this season has led to high-level interest.
Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United call
The newspaper explains that Maxi Araújo’s impressive performances in the Champions League this season, where he has shown ‘quality in transition and defensive solidity’, has elevated the winger’s status.
Atlético de Madrid are leading the chase for him. He’s been elevated to the status of a ‘priority alternative’ for Diego Simeone’s side. But the Spaniard’s are aware there’s strong interest in him.
Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United are keen from the Premier League. Juventus have also been in touch. All of the relevant parties have held ‘exploratory talks’ with the player’s agents.
All of the interested parties want to secure a priority status with Sporting president Frederico Varandas and ‘avoid a price inflation’. The growing concern is that there will be an auction and it will be ‘frenetic’ during the summer.
€80m asking price
Sporting will start the summer by asking for Maxi Araújo’s release clause to be met. That is currently set at €80m. That is to warn the interested parties they won’t sell on the cheap.
The Portuguese side want to keep the left-back but know that the interest will be ‘intense’. They’re almost accepting that they’ll have to sell. Whatever the price, they will secure a huge profit on a player that cost them €13.7m in 2024.
Atlético de Madrid are currently leading the race for his signature. He’s an express desire for Diego Simeone. But the competition from the Premier League is there. Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United have already been in contact with his agents.
Whether any of those three would pay want Sporting wants, remains to be seen. But the talks with his agents are being seen in Portugal as a sign of their growing interest.