Following on from the Marco Palestra signing, there may be the opportunity to immediately go out and sign Maxi Araujo.
Maxi Araujo emerged as a target to replace Marc Cucurella, who recently departed for Real Madrid.
Chelsea have held talks with Sporting over a move for Araujo, but with the defender currently at the World Cup with Uruguay things are moving slowly.
A highly offensive wing-back, Araujo contributed 11 goals and seven assists this season. He does have a £69 million release clause, but Sporting are willing to do business for less.
RATE 1️⃣-🔟: Is Marco Palestra a good signing?
Serie A's Best Defender of 2025-26.
Maxi Araujo available for just £34.5 million
In a market that continues to see the prices of promising young players being inflated, there may just be an opportunity on the horizon with Maxi Araujo.
According to Sebas Giovanelli on ESPN Argentina, Sporting Lisbon would sell Maxi Araujo to the Premier League for €40,000,000, which works out to around £34.5 million.
Of course, Valentin Barco and Jorrel Hato have the ability to play at left-back, but Barco has ventured out into a midfield role and Hato looks better at centre-back, so a left-back is needed.
Marco Palestra does have the ability to play there too, but Malo Gusto may be on his way out.
Maxi Araujo is perfect for Xabi Alonso
The Uruguay international offers natural width and directness on the left flank, looking to make overlapping runs and will rival Reece James with his deliveries into the penalty area.
Playing under Marcelo Bielsa and at Sporting CP, he’s already used to a high pressing system that sees their full-backs invert.
Defensively, Araujo’s stamina and counter-pressing ensure Chelsea maintains protective coverage during quick transitions, making him an ideal fit.
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