Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with a Champions League club about a deal to sign a new left-back ahead of Chelsea this summer, according to Sport Witness.
The north London club are in the middle of a relegation battle after falling to yet another defeat this past weekend against Nottingham Forest, leaving them in 17th place and just one point above West Ham in the relegation zone, while they have also been eliminated from all cup competitions.
But despite the uncertainty around their Premier League status for next season, Spurs are already making plans for the upcoming summer transfer window in case they stay up, and it includes an exciting new option in defence.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium general view
According to a report by Sport Witness, Tottenham have made contact with the Portuguese club about a deal to sign left-back Maxi Araujo.
Araujo, who has an €80m release clause in his contract at the Estadio Alvalade, has been a key player under Rui Borges since he took over from Ruben Amorim, and his performances have clearly not gone unnoticed in England as a result.
Sporting are keen to offer him a new contract to fend off interested parties, but it's understood that Spurs, Chelsea, and several other Premier League clubs have made their interest in doing a deal known.
Spurs recently signed young Brazilian left-back Souza in January, however, there are reports Destiny Udogie could be allowed to move on in the summer, which would open up a spot for 26-year-old Araujo to step in and claim the starting place as his own.
It's still unclear if Tottenham will turn their initial approach into a concrete move to bring the Uruguay international to the Premier League.
Araujo Would Be a Udogie Upgrade
Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udogie
Tottenham have had major struggles defensively this season, which is a big reason for why they are in a relegation battle. In the summer, they need to find reinforcements, and Araujo could be just that.
It's likely that he would be a big upgrade on the Italian too, entering the Premier League in his prime years and with top-level experience.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT to compare the two players and tell us who would be a better fit for Spurs, and this was its response:
Maxi Araújo
More attacking: winger/LM profile, goals + assists output
Versatile but less proven defensively at elite level
Better for wing-back in attacking system
Destiny Udogie
Physically dominant, strong duels + ball progression
Proven in Premier League, tactically reliable
Inverted full-back suits Spurs build-up
Verdict (Spurs)
Udogie = safer, system fit
Araujo = higher attacking upside but riskier
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