Arsenal have reportedly had initial talks with the agent of Sporting Lisbon fullback Maxi Araujo ahead of a potential summer transfer.
The Uruguayan international played against the Gunners in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final earlier this month, and it appears manager Mikel Arteta has taken a shine to the player.
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Portuguese tabloid Record claim that “exploratory” conversations have taken place, with Araujo now seen as a top target.
The left-back has been linked to other Premier League clubs in recent weeks, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. However, it appears Arsenal are the likeliest team to make a move for him at the moment.
What do Arsenal fans need to know about the player?
Araujo only moved to Europe in the summer of 2024, having spent his early career in his native Uruguay before moving to Mexico.
His first season at Sporting saw him deployed mostly as a left wingback, and he did rack up an impressive number of assists (8 in total).
This campaign, Araujo, has been less creative (4 assists so far), but he has found the back of the net 6 times.
Araujo’s asking price has been set
The 26-year-old does have an €80m (£69m) release clause in his contract, but Record report that Sporting would be willing to consider offers of around €60m (£52m).
Even at that price, though, you do question whether a bid of that size would be tabled by the Gunners, considering he doesn’t play in an area of the pitch which needs to be strengthened
Araujo can play as a left winger, which is a position that the club are hoping to reinforce this summer, but the Uruguayan is usually deployed in deeper positions. 32 of his 41 appearances for Sporting this season have been as a fullback in a back four.
Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here