As the summer transfer window wound down, Paris Saint-Germain made a late effort to bolster their defense but faced significant hurdles in securing their target. If they revisit this pursuit, they’ll have stiff competition.
In August,L’Équipe’s Loïc Tanzi reported that PSG had offered Tomás Araújo a €5 million annual contract. However, the move depended on offloading a center-back first.
Meanwhile,transfer expert Fabrizio Romano highlighted Chelsea’s interest in Araújo. While the Blues didn’t submit a formal bid, they considered the 22-year-old a solid option if they offloaded a defender in the final days of the window.
Ultimately, Benfica held onto Araújo. Romano noted that the Portuguese club was hesitant to let him go afteralready losing several players earlier in the summer.
Chelsea push for Tomás Araújo to bolster defense
Tomas Araujo
FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images
According toTEAMtalk, Chelsea have reached out to Benfica about a potential deal for Araújo. The club is reportedly open to letting Axel Disasi leave in January.
🚨 Chelsea have made contact with Benfica over a deal to sign Tomás Araújo, with the club willing to let Axel Disasi leave in January.
(Source @TEAMtalk) pic.twitter.com/IJ7HXeS8rC
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 6, 2024
O Jogo recently reported that Chelsea, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace are among several clubs interested in the player.The Lisbon club has set his release clause at €100 million, leaving PSG with an all-or-nothing option.