Latest developments
- Chelsea are looking to sign Portuguese centre-back Tomas Araujo.
- The Blues face competition from Premier League rivals for his signature.
- Benfica president says he “doesn't want to lose him in January”.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3.5/5): Source in Portugal adds meat to speculations
Chelsea want to bring Benfica's Tomas Araujo to Stamford Bridge in January, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
The source also lists Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Crystal Palace as the clubs trying to tie down the 22-year-old, who has been impressing Premier League scouts with his recent performances with Benfica, both in the Portuguese league and the UEFA Champions League.
Value (2.5/5): Price increasing with bidding war on the horizon
No bids have been reported just yet, but the player under contract until 2028 will likely command a fee well above his current Transfermarkt valuation of €15 million.
Not only will Benfica drive up the price with so many Premier League clubs monitoring him, but Benfica president Rui Costa saying he doesn't want to lose the youngster in January suggests they will only consider the heftiest bids.
Suitability (4.5/5): Chelsea's system matches Benfica's
The Benfica academy product has spent almost the entirety of his career at centre back, and is currently partnered by the veteran Nicolas Otamendi in the middle of a back four which forms part of a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Enzo Maresca plays the same formation at Stamford Bridge, giving no cause for concern over adaptability.
Upgrade? (2/5): Already solid options at the back
In the summer, Chelsea added Tosin Adarabioyo and Renato Veiga to their stable of centre-backs, which currently includes Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, and Axel Disasi, all of whom are 27 or under, and under contract until 2028 or later.
While Araujo certainly would not be at the bottom of the pecking order, he would not be guaranteed regular starts with the Blues.
Logic (2/5): Better Premier League options for Araujo
A move to a big five league seems a near-certainty for Araujo, who was called up to the Portugal squad for the first time this month, and he seems to have the right attributes to succeed in the Premier League.
A switch to Chelsea would not necessarily be a bad thing, but it would seem more logical to go to a club where his services would be in greater demand, perhaps the club where the former manager of his Lisbon rivals has just arrived?
Whisper+ verdict: 14.5/25
With so many centre-backs at Chelsea right now, they clearly see something special in Araujo to want to bring him in in January, especially given their recent good form.
However, with lots of other clubs interested, the Blues are unlikely to come across as the best choice for Araujo, who could soon be seen wearing another English club's shirt.
