Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs battling with Arsenal for Sporting’s Maxi Araújo in the summer.
Last month, Sport Witness exclusively revealed Tottenham had initiated contact to sign the 26-year-old.
At the weekend, Record in Portugal stated Arsenal started talks to sign the left wing back, valued at around €60m.
He can also operate as a left-back and a winger and contributed 10 goals and 12 assists from 80 matches.
This includes six goals and four assists from 42 matches this season, mainly operating as a left-back.
He even played the full 90 minutes in both legs against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter final. The Gunners made it to the last four with a 1-0 aggregate score, courtesy of Kai Havertz’s goal.
His league stats this season are as follows:
Appearances: 25
Starts: 21
Total minutes: 1,855
Minutes per game: 74
Interceptions per game: 1.0
Tackles per game: 1.7
Possession won (final third): 0.4
Ball recovered per game: 4.0
Dribbled past per game: 1.0
Clearances per game: 1.2
Blocked shots per game: 0.2
Duels won per game: 5.3
Tottenham’s interest in Arsenal target
Spurs appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager on March 31st but that wouldn’t have impacted their interest in the rising star.
A source informed Sport Witness that Tottenham Hotspur continue to have Maxi Araújo on their agenda, after initiating contact.
The north London club are still tussling to sign the Uruguay international despite the latest claims from Portugal reporting of Arsenal starting talks.
Earlier today, we revealed eight Premier League sides are following the South American.
Tottenham, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. We aren’t aware about the Gunners’ approach or interest and about the other two English clubs.
Araújo’s release clause is at €80m and recent claims state the Lions want €60m. However, the same source informs Sport Witness that at least €45-50m is needed to secure his services in the summer window.
Our take: Tottenham need to stay in PL
Spurs are now 18th in the table, two points behind 17th placed West Ham United. Both sides have four matches left this season.
Tottenham Hotspur would need to avoid relegation from the Premier League to stand a chance to sign Maxi Araújo in the summer.
Even with the top flight stay, Spurs face competition from other English clubs to acquire his signature. With or without Tottenham, there’s likely to be a battle for the Sporting star.