Chelsea to ‘ATTACK’ €80m star after Huijsen snub

Chelsea are ready to go on the ‘attack’ for Benfica defender Tomas Araujo after a year of interest, according to Portuguese media.

Despite signing Mamadou Sarr from sister club Strasbourg, Chelsea remain intent on bringing in at least one high-profile defender this summer. In line with their transfer policy, they want someone who is young and versatile.

Dean Huijsen had been their top target for the centre-back position, but he ultimately opted to pursue a dream move to Real Madrid, where he was officially unveiled earlier this week.

Chelsea have thus been forced to explore different targets, and one name that is once again beginning to make the rounds is that of Benfica star Tomas Araujo.

Already last summer, Chelsea were credited with a concrete interest in the Portugal international, but his €100 million release clause made a transfer difficult to pull off.

Chelsea to attack for Araujo

However, over the course of the season, the situation changed in Chelsea’s favour as Araujo signed a fresh contract with Benfica and, surprisingly, had his clause reduced to €80m.

This is still a hefty fee to be sure, but it seems to be one that is much more palatable to Chelsea, whose spending is showing no signs of slowing down.

According to A Bola, Chelsea are once again at the front of the queue for the 23-year-old, and their Lisbon counterparts are worried about losing him this summer.

The Blues, it is claimed, are ‘preparing to attack’ for Araujo, and there is a feeling that a transfer is possible despite the fact that Benfica improved his salary when they extended his contract.

Chelsea look set to flex their financial muscle in what would be a devastating blow for Benfica. The Portuguese giants are keen to have clarity on their squad for next season as soon as possible, but uncertainty surrounding Nicolas Otamendi and the interest in Araujo is making this impossible.

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