Towards the end of the summer window, Crystal Palace saw their €30m offer for Tomás Araújo rejected by Benfica. He’s now been likened to former Barcelona star Gerard Piqué.
The Premier League side have continued to show interest in the centre-back.
On November 12th, O Jogo reported Crystal Palace have made fresh contacts to try and sign him. A day later, Correio da Manhã backed up the London club’s desire to secure the 22-year-old’s services.
Saturday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo points out Crystal Palace’s failed efforts to acquire his signature in the last window and compare him to the ex-Barcelona man.
The defender has cemented his place at Benfica this season and his fine displays helped him make his debut for Portugal earlier this month.The newspaper also claims Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique wanted him in the summer.
When describing his qualities, Mundo compared the Crystal Palace target to the Barcelona legend.
They state: ‘A defender of the modern type, with a good build and the ability to defend the penalty area but also showing good anticipation when cutting and good ball control, Tomás Araújo is like a Portuguese-style Gerard Piqué.’
The Catalan outlet insists Araújo will leave Benfica next summer. Crystal Palace will face competition as several other clubs are also chasing him.