Luxury duel: Chelsea and Manchester United eye Tomás Araújo

A luxury duel emerges in the Premier League as Benfica may lose its 24-year-old centre‑back, Tomás Araújo, who is attracting interest from two English giants. The Portuguese club faces the possibility of seeing the defender leave the squad in one of the upcoming transfer windows. The attention of Chelsea and Manchester United puts pressure on Benfica's management.

Interest from Premier League clubs

According to Team Talk, Chelsea and Manchester United sent scouts to Benfica's matches to assess Tomás Araújo's performance. Both clubs were particularly impressed by the player's display against AC Milan last month. The report states that the two Premier League giants maintain close contacts with the defender's agent.

In addition to the English clubs, Bayern Munich is also monitoring the situation, although it has not yet made an official bid. The German interest demonstrates the scale of the international recognition the player has earned.

Tomás Araújo is under contract with Benfica until 2031, with a release clause set at €80 million. The Portuguese international is a starter alongside Clément Lenglet in central defence. At 24 years old, he is at the peak of his defensive career.

In the current season, the centre‑back has made 12 appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist. These numbers reinforce his offensive and defensive contribution alongside the Reds.

With the transfer windows looming, Benfica will have to decide whether to keep the player or negotiate the million‑euro clause. The decision will depend on the club's assessment of the need to strengthen the defence and its ability to meet the financial demand.

The news was initially released on Bola na Rede, and the situation continues to be monitored by the main sports media outlets.