(Football news) The 22-year-old came through the youth system at Benfica, progressing to first-team level in 2021, and he has made 37 appearances for the Portuguese giants in all competitions, including 13 outings during the 2024-25 campaign.
There is currently a host of speculation surrounding Araujo’s future, with Chelsea also believed to be admirers, and Benfica are seemingly facing a difficult task when it comes to keeping hold of him.
According to multiple reports, Amorim is pushing for Manchester United to make a £50 million move for Araujo in January, with the Portuguese determined to win the race for the centre-back, who made his international debut for Portugal against Croatia on November 18.
The report claims that the new Manchester United head coach is due to meet with club chiefs on Friday, and a possible move for Araujo is likely to be discussed, with the Red Devils expected to sign at least one player in January.
Amorim ‘pushing for Manchester United to sign Araujo’
Araujo has a £83 million release clause in his current deal, but Manchester United are believed to be confident that a deal could be done for a fee in the region of £50 million, with the Red Devils potentially having to wait until the end of the season.
The defender has featured on eight occasions in Portugal’s top flight this term, while he has played four times in the Champions League and is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand centre-backs in European football.
Man United currently have a number of first-team centre-backs, but three could leave next year, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all out of contract at Old Trafford in June 2025.
Of the three, Maguire is the likeliest to stay, with the Englishman’s contract potentially being extended, but Lindelof and Evans are both expected to move on when their deals come to a close.
Who could Araujo replace at the back?
Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are viewed as starting centre-backs at Manchester United, while Leny Yoro is also set to be key for Amorim once the Frenchman has fully overcome his injury problem.
Yoro is yet to make his competitive debut for the Red Devils, having fractured a metatarsal over the summer, but he returned to training earlier this month and is now closing in on his first appearance.
Noussair Mazraoui has also excelled since Amorim’s arrival, so it would be interesting to see where Araujo fits into the side, with De Ligt’s spot potentially coming under threat from the Portuguese.
Man United will need to bring in at least one centre-back next year, though, and Araujo looks to possess the necessary skills to be a strong performer in the Premier League, standing at 6ft 2in and boasting excellent composure on the ball.
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