Sporting CP left-back Maxi Araujo has been convinced to stay for another season, according to Portuguese outlet Record (page 2).
The Uruguay international had a fabulous 2025/26 campaign with Sporting CP, contributing seven goals and six assists from 42 appearances.
He went on to impress for his country at the World Cup despite their group stage exit. Araujo scored twice and provided an assist, playing as a left winger.
Record (page 2) today claim that his performances have caught the eye of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in England.
Sporting CP previously set an asking price of £51 million for the 26-year-old, but he has now decided to stay with the Lisbon giants next term.
The lure of Champions League football and a significant salary hike means that the left-back will continue at the Portuguese heavyweights for another 12 months.
He could leave Sporting CP in a year’s time. Morten Hjulmand had a similar gentleman’s agreement with the club last summer and recently joined Atletico Madrid.
Man Utd never made an approach for Araujo
Earlier this summer, United were frequently linked with Araujo. It was claimed that they were impressed by his ability to play as a left-back and a left winger.
The club were fancied to compete with Chelsea and Spurs for his signature, but none of those clubs has made a formal approach for the Uruguayan full-back.
It is quite clear that Sporting CP’s asking price has put off potential suitors, while Araujo has not necessarily pushed for a move away from the club either.
He has now been persuaded to stay for another 12 months, and could be granted his wish to leave for a bigger club at a discounted transfer figure next summer.
Meanwhile, United have paused their plans to land a left-back or a left-winger, and the prime priority appears to be signing a third midfielder in the transfer window.
With Marcus Rashford returning after his loan stint at Barcelona, the Red Devils already have a marquee solution to compete with Matheus Cunha on the left wing.
As things stand, the Englishman has not received any offers to leave due to his hefty weekly wages, and he is expected to start the new league campaign under manager Michael Carrick.
This could also affect the pursuit of a new left-back. Patrick Dorgu, who has been successful as a left winger this year, could feature as a back-up for left-back Luke Shaw.
Noussair Mazraoui was also quite exceptional from the defensive position for Morocco at the World Cup despite being a right-back. He could be another competitor to Shaw.
Stats from Transfermarkt