With just four games to play in the Premier League season, Chelsea find themselves in fifth place in the table.
On the European front, the Blues have made it to the semi-final of the UEFA Conference League.
And while this may seem like a decent performance for a club in transition, the jury is still out on Enzo Maresca’s first season at Stamford Bridge.
Regardless of how the season culminates for Chelsea, the club is set for a busy transfer window, filled with both arrivals and departures.
According to a report by CaughtOffside, Chelsea are set to battle none other than Real Madrid for the signature of Benfica centre back Tomas Araujo.
Though Chelsea are interested in Premier League stars Dean Huijsen and Marc Guehi, they are also believed to be looking at Araujo as a possible option.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
What the potential addition of Araujo could mean for Chelsea and Real Madrid
Chelsea and Real Madrid have both recently made informal contact with Benfica to find out about the defender’s availability.
Real Madrid, in particular, view Araujo as a potential long-term part of their defensive set-up as they aim to improve their squad after their ongoing disappointing season.
However, Benfica have made their stance clear: Araujo is not for sale, unless his €80 million release clause is met in full.
Despite Benfica’s firm stance on Araujo, last summer both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain decided to test the Portuguese club’s resolve for the defender by tabling offers in the region of €60 million.
During his time at Benfica, Araujo has made a name for himself as one of the best ball-playing defenders in the world, and this is what’s attracting attention from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid.
The Blues and Los Blancos are both on the lookout for defenders who can help their teams build from the back and bolster their defence.
In such a scenario, the potential addition of Araujo makes complete sense, and his situation at Benfica is worth keeping an eye on as we head into the summer transfer window.
Latest Chelsea FC news
- Chelsea make decision on Jadon Sancho's future
- Estevao Willian opens up about his decision to join Chelsea
- Latest Chelsea FC news and links