Latest developments
- Chelsea have made contact with Benfica over a move for Tomas Araujo.
- The centre-back has also been on Manchester United's radar.
- The Blues will be willing to let Axel Disasi leave in January.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): Sources claim contact made
Chelsea are intent on challenging Man Utd and other top clubs for the signature of the “next Gerard Pique”, Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo.
teamtalk.com broke this story and have not disclosed their sources, but are adamant that Chelsea have made contact with the Portuguese giants in regards to the 22-year-old.
Value (2/5): Huge release clause in the way
A stumbling block for any side willing to sign the Benfica man is the £83 million release clause in Araujo's contract, which won't be expiring until 2028.
Other sources claimed recently that the Lisbon club will be willing to sell for around £50 million, which seems more reasonable, even if he is valued at only £12 million on Transfermarkt.
Suitability (4/5): Experienced head on young shoulders
Still a youngster by defenders' standards, Araujo has formed an impressive partnership alongside Nicolas Otamendi at Benfica as part of a back four which is closer to the system Chelsea play than the back three preferred by Ruben Amorim at Man Utd.
Upgrade? (3.5/5): Chelsea making room
Centre-back is certainly an area where Chelsea aren't short of a few players, with Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana battling for minutes under Enzo Maresca. One player not in Maresca's plans, however, is Axel Disasi, who Chelsea are said to be happy to let go in January to help facilitate the Araujo move.
He will still have plenty of competition, but there is still room for improvement in the Blues' back line, which Araujo can bring.
Logic (3/5): Summer move on the cards
Having made his Portugal debut in November, Araujo will want a move to a top club in one of Europe's bigger leagues in order to establish himself as a national team regular.
With Chelsea not in a rush to bring in a defender, a move in the summer, once Araujo has had the chance to win domestic honours with his boyhood club, looks more plausible.
Whisper+ verdict: 15.5/25
A marginally better rating than the score we gave his links to United, the source suggests that Chelsea are doing the groundwork to make this move a reality, but a big price to pay in a position the Blues have good cover casts doubt.
