Chelsea and Manchester United 'target' available for £66m in January as new deal contains release clause

Chelsea transfer target Tomas Araujo will be available to sign for a set price in the January transfer window after it emerged a release clause had been inserted into his latest contract at Benfica.

Araujo, 22, was linked with a move to Chelsea during summer window, when the Blues identified him as a target. He would provide Enzo Maresca with a long-term replacement for Thiago Silva, who left at the end of last season. Chelsea currently have conceded six more goals than title rivals Liverpool, so, signing a centre-back has become a priority in order to build a strong all-round squad at Stamford Bridge.

Benfica defender Araujo has impressed this season, making 17 appearances for the Portuguese side, including five games in the Champions League. He has become one of the most exciting defenders in European football. He has also attracted interest from Manchester United.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Araujo has signed a new contract at Benfica which is set to keep him in Portugal until 2029. However, the insertion of a £66m release clause could force his exit. He said: “Tomás Araujo’s new contract at Benfica until June 2029 includes a release clause worth €80m.Chelsea and PSG both considered Araújo last summer, Crystal Palace sent two bids… but Benfica never wanted to sell him.”

Crystal Palace sent bids for Araujo

Chelsea’s London rivals Palace had made a move for the defender during the summer transfer window. Reports have suggested that they had a £25m bid rejected as they began to look for a long-term replacement for Marc Guehi.

Guehi attracted interest from several top Premier League teams, including Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United. However, the England international remains at Palace for now.

With a hefty release clause at £66m, it is likely that Palace will no longer pursue the defender. It would be a bold move for a team that doesn’t have a massive budget to splash such a hefty amount on one player. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s spending has been very liberal over the past few seasons and they would be more inclined to pay the £66m transfer fee for Araujo.

Chelsea keen to add a centre-back

The Blues haven’t just been linked to Araujo, they have several targets at centre-back as they are keen to strengthen in defence.

Nottingham Forest star Murillo has reported interest from Chelsea this season. He has helped his Forest side to fourth in the Premier League table after 16 matches with the club picking up wins away at Manchester United and Liverpool while drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge as well. Furthermore, the Blues have been linked to Bournemouth centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi who has also impressed for the Cherries, who sit sixth in the Premier League.