Chelsea reportedly track Benfica's Tomas Araujo, €80m release clause

📰 Chelsea, along with Manchester United, are keeping close tabs on Benfica defender Tomas Araujo, according to an exclusive TEAMtalk report. For now this is scouting interest, not a bid. 📌 Key points 🧢 Araujo is a 24-year-old Portugal international defender. 🔁 He can play at centre-back or right-back. 💰 His new Benfica deal includes an €80m release clause. 🏟️ Chelsea and United reportedly scouted him against AC Milan. 🗓️ Summer 2027 looks more realistic than January. 📝 What happened 💬 TEAMtalk reports that Chelsea and Manchester United are running constant checks on Araujo. Both sent scouts to the San Siro last month for AC Milan v Benfica in the Champions League, where he reportedly produced a man-of-the-match display. Tottenham, Newcastle and Brighton were also said to be watching. 💰 Araujo signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract this summer containing an €80m (about £68m) release clause. According to TEAMtalk, Benfica see him as central to Marco Silva's plans and will not entertain mid-season offers below that figure. 🗣️ One Premier League scout told TEAMtalk that Araujo's ceiling is higher than his current level suggests. 🔁 The Hard Tackle adds that Chelsea want a versatile right-sided defender and have recently been linked with Jules Koundé, with Araujo a possible alternative. 📊 By the numbers • Age 24, Portugal international • Release clause: €80m (about £68m) • New contract: four and a half years 🔭 Why it matters With his contract only just renewed, several outlets agree a January move is highly unlikely. The Hard Tackle suggests there may be room to negotiate below the clause next summer. Whether Chelsea actually make a move is likely to be decided in the summer 2027 window.