Chelsea ‘in love’ with £83m Benfica star ahead of January transfer window

Chelsea have reportedly ‘made contact’ with Benfica over a possible move for their £83m defender Tomás Araújo in the January transfer window.

Araújo has established himself as an important player in the Benfica XI and the Blues are believed to be ‘in love’ with the impressive young centre-back.

The 22-year-old, capped eight times by Portugal U21s, came through Benfica’s academy and has played 36 first-team games for the Portuguese side to date.

Araújo, who has a reported €100m (£83m) release clause in his contact, has attracted transfer interest from a number of teams, according to O Jogo.

The Portuguese outlet reports that Chelsea are among the English sides to have opened talks with Benfica, along with fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace, while Newcastle United are also interested.

Chelsea actually tried to sign Araújo last summer but they left it too late before the window closed, says transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. He adds they may decide to revisit the deal next summer if they can’t get a deal done in January.

‘Chelsea are actively monitoring the centre-back market,’ Romano said. ‘Let’s see if it’s going to be January, let’s see if it’s going to be summer.

‘It’s not guaranteed it’s going to be January because in the last days of the summer transfer window, Chelsea were considering to bring in a new centre-back. For example, a player they are in love with is Tomas Araujo at Benfica.

‘They were considering a move for him, but then nothing happened because Benfica were not selling an important player a few days before the end of the transfer window.

‘Now, I can confirm to you once again that they are monitoring the market. They are following players.’

Former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, who played with Araújo at Benfica, is convinced that he can become one of the best defenders in world football.

‘If he keeps doing what he’s been doing, he has everything to be one of the best defenders in the world in a year or two,’ Vertonghen told CNN Portugal.

Araújo helped Benfica clinch the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira title in 2023.