Amorim eyes Chelsea battle for Benfica defender

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 29 Nov 2024 08:45 CST
4 min read

Ruben Amorim wants Manchester United to battle Chelsea to sign Tomas Araujo from SL Benfica, according to reports.

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The Sun have revealed that the defender is well-liked by the Portuguese head coach and the Premier League outfit are looking into the market for a centre-back heading into the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old could be made available for around €60 million in the next window, as United look to contend with injury concerns at their backline.

The outlet states: "SunSport understands that new Old Trafford chief Amorim has placed Araujo on his wanted list as he begins his United rebuilding job.

"Araujo has all the attributes Amorim is after — he is 6 ft 2, a good passer of the ball, and physically strong, with plenty of room for improvement. He can play centrally or on the right side of the defence and is considered the best prospect to come out of Portugal’s most productive academy since current Manchester City star Ruben Dias."

Current ETV

Ronald Araujo

D (C)

Barcelona

Ronald Araujo

D (C)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€34.1M - €56.8M

The 22-year-old has played 13 times this season, amassing over 1,000 minutes, and providing one assist.

United bought in Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt over the summer, but it's thought the need for a new central defender is needed. Furthermore, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof all face uncertain futures at Old Trafford.

But United will have to battle Chelsea for the younger. Last month it was revealed the London club 'really like' Benfica defender Tomas Araujo, per Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues are always attentive to the transfer market and up-and-coming talents. In the summer, Chelsea brought in defensive reinforcements in the form of Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley and Aaron Anselmino, the latter two immediately going out on loan.

Despite this, Chelsea are paying close attention to developments around Europe and one of the players to have piqued their interest is Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo.

Speaking to CaughtOffside at the time., Romano revealed that Chelsea remain interested in Araujo and could revisit a deal for him in the future should they feel the need to add to their defensive ranks. Additionally, they are interested in RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba.

"Chelsea are following many centre-backs [and] Lukeba is one of many players they’ve been monitoring, which is absolutely normal, just like with Tomas Araujo at Benfica. Araujo in particular is a player Chelsea really like, and they tried for him in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

"At that time, Benfica didn’t want to sell the player, but he remains someone on Chelsea’s radar, and they are also scouting Lukeba, but at this moment it’s too early to predict where he’s going.”