Chelsea eye new £67m transfer target as next priority deal made clear

Chelsea are reportedly interested in Benfica defender Tomas Araujo this summer.

The Blues continue to spend heavily, with nearly £100million already shelled out on talents including Liam Delap and Estevao Willian. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is clearly not content to rest on his laurels, and the Blues are reportedly eyeing further reinforcements for his squad.

A report from Portugal’s A Bola claims that Chelsea are preparing an “attack” on Benfica for the signature of their star centre-back Araujo. Since joining Benfica’s ranks in 2019 and breaking into the first team in December 2021, the imposing 6ft 2′ defender has proven his worth on loan at Gil Vicente last campaign.

Having successfully made his way back into the main fold after the loan spell, Araujo cemented his place in Bruno Lage’s starting XI, featuring in 28 league games over the previous term. While signing a brand new contract in November, which introduced a £67m buyout clause, it seems Chelsea’s eagerness might just see them trigger that figure to reinforce their defensive line.

The Blues currently have seven CBs on the books: Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino and summer arrival Mamadou Sarr.

Chelsea are also reportedly ready to auction off a whole host of players who spent last season out on loan. According to BBC Sport, the list of stars for sale this summer includes Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, Djordje Petrovic, Armando Broja, Joao Felix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu.

Meanwhile, pre-agreed moves for Kendry Paez, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo and Estevao Willian have formally gone through since the summer window opened.