Manchester United have Maxi Araújo firmly on the agenda, with Sporting now working to keep the Uruguay international away from a summer move.
Arsenal are also in the picture, but the Manchester United angle is stronger in the Portuguese reports.
A Bola names both clubs as having made exploratory approaches, while O Jogo specifically highlights Manchester United among the European sides with constant interest for the 26-year-old. Atlético Madrid and Juventus are also keen.
Sporting’s response is already underway. According to A Bola, the Lisbon club have started contacts to convince Maxi Araújo to stay for one more season at Alvalade.
The plan is to repeat the strategy used with Viktor Gyökeres and Morten Hjulmand, keeping an important player for another year before a bigger sale.
Sporting want to delay the move
Maxi Araújo has a contract until 2029 and an €80m (£70m) release clause. A Bola say Sporting will only consider a sale for a figure close to that level.
That immediately creates a challenge for Manchester United. They have been watching Portugal closely, including Sporting, but this is no cheap opportunity. Araújo’s rise has given Sporting a strong hand.
The key detail is the Champions League. A Bola report that Sporting’s qualification for next season’s competition has helped their argument. Had they finished third in the league, an exit was seen as almost inevitable. Now, Araújo is said to be more open to staying.
For United, that makes the timing awkward. Waiting could leave the player in Portugal for another year. Moving now could mean paying close to the clause.
Why Manchester United and Arsenal are watching
O Jogo’s figures explain why his stock rose so much this season. In 29 league games, Araújo produced five goals, four assists and 124 ball recoveries. He was also named in the Portuguese league team of the year, in a vote involving coaches and captains.
Of course United need more reliability in wide areas, and Araújo brings a mix of running power, defensive work and end product. That is why they already had exploratory talks with the player’s agents.
On the other hand, Mikel Arteta’s squad already has strong options pretty much everywhere on the pitch, but Araújo’s would be an upgrade on the left. He could cover different roles and add another high-intensity profile.
Still, Sporting’s stance means Arsenal would face the same issue as United. This is now a premium deal.
World Cup could change everything
Sporting’s plan is clear. They want to keep Maxi Araújo for another Champions League campaign, build his status further, and sell later for a historic fee.
However, A Bola point to the World Cup as the danger. Araújo is an important player for Uruguay. A strong tournament could bring the kind of offers Sporting cannot easily control.
That is the dilemma for Manchester United. If they believe Araújo is the right player, the next few months may matter. Sporting want patience. United may have to decide whether patience only helps the price rise.
For now, there is no formal offer. There is interest, there have been approaches, and Sporting are trying to close the door before the market properly opens.