Tottenham and Chelsea target Maxi Araújo
Tottenham and Chelsea target Maxi Araújo
Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea’s interest in Maxi Araújo is now meeting encouragement from the player himself, after both clubs made contact over a potential summer move.
As we reported earlier, Spurs and the Blues are among the Premier League sides tracking the Sporting CP defender closely. There have already been initial approaches, and the situation remains open ahead of the next window.
Now, fresh comments from the Uruguay international suggest England is firmly on his mind.
Maxi Araújo is preparing to face England with Uruguay, in a match that will take place in London. The 26-year-old is currently training at Arsenal’s facilities ahead of that fixture.
Speaking to Uruguayan outlet El Espectador Deportes, he made his feelings clear about playing in England: “It will be my first time in England, let it be the first of many. It will be incredible, a huge opportunity and I will make the most of it.”
Those words are unlikely to go unnoticed at Tottenham or Chelsea, especially given both clubs have already taken concrete steps by making contact.
Role, form and growing appeal
Maxi Araújo arrives at this moment in strong form for Sporting. He has scored six goals and provided four assists in 35 matches this season, operating mainly as a left-back.
However, his versatility remains a key attraction. Under previous manager Ruben Amorim, he was often used as a wing-back or even further forward. Now, speaking about his Uruguay role under Marcelo Bielsa, he confirmed another positional tweak.
“I spoke with Marcelo [Bielsa], he told me to quickly change the chip. It will be more or less the same, but a bit further forward,” Araújo explained.
That flexibility strengthens his profile for Premier League clubs. Tottenham, in particular, value players who can operate across multiple systems. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to build a squad with tactical adaptability in mind.
London trip adds extra layer
Maxi Araújo will return to London soon with Sporting, as they prepare to face Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals on April 15.
He is already looking ahead to that tie. The Uruguayan admitted it will offer a chance to assess opponents he will soon face again at club level.
“We already faced them in the previous Champions League, but now we are in a very good moment. We will face them again,” he said.
Sporting suffered a heavy 5-1 home defeat to Arsenal in the 2024/25 campaign. That result remains in the background as they prepare for a different outcome this time.
Plans for the summer
Tottenham and Chelsea now have clearer signals from both sides. The clubs have initiated contact, and the player is openly speaking about England as part of his future.
There is still no indication of formal bids. Sporting’s stance will also be key, especially with an €80m (£69m) release clause in place, while his market value sits significantly lower.
Even so, timing may favour Premier League clubs. There is currently no agreement over a contract renewal, which keeps the door open for further advances.
With fixtures in London approaching at both international and club level, Araújo is set to spend more time in the spotlight of English football. That exposure could accelerate a move that already appears to be gathering pace.
🇷🇴 Radu Drăgușin | Really great words from defender
🤍 Explains how heart settled on Tottenham move
🩺 Has grown close to @Madders10: “It’s just an example of the way he is, the man he is. Him and many of my colleagues.”https://t.co/h2fVYHOANm #thfc #coys
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 26, 2026