Chelsea reportedly face paying Tomás Araújo’s €80m release clause, around £68m, if they want to sign the Benfica defender in January.
TEAMtalk journalist Graeme Bailey reports that Benfica will not consider a mid-season offer below that figure, despite growing interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Both clubs watched the Portugal international against AC Milan last month, according to the report. It does not announce a Chelsea bid or agreement.
Tomás Araújo contract strengthens Benfica’s position
Benfica confirmed Araújo’s new contract until 2031 on 2 September.
The club’s announcement identifies the 24-year-old as one of their captains and records 113 first-team appearances at that point.
The release-clause figure and January stance come from TEAMtalk’s reporting, rather than that official announcement. Bailey considers a winter move highly unlikely, with next summer the more realistic opportunity.
Araújo can also cover right-back, adding versatility to his established role in central defence.
For Chelsea, his contract removes any immediate prospect of using an approaching expiry date to negotiate a cheaper deal.
The report follows separate links with Jarell Quansah, while Axel Disasi joined Crystal Palace on loan during the summer.
