Tottenham, Chelsea & Man Utd in £70m Battle for Sporting CP Wing-Back Araujo

Tottenham Hotspur are facing competition from Chelsea and Manchester United for Sporting CP’s Uruguayan left wing-back, Maxi Araujo, with the Portuguese club demanding a fee of €80 million (£69.5m / $92.7m) for the 26-year-old, according to reports.

Spurs are currently battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, facing Nottingham Forest in a crucial match on Sunday, but are simultaneously planning for potential summer reinforcements. Araujo, who has scored six goals and provided four assists this season, has emerged as a key target.

The versatility of Araujo, capable of playing as both a left-back and a left-winger, has attracted interest from multiple Premier League clubs. Sport Witness reports that both Tottenham and Chelsea have initiated contact regarding a potential move.

Sporting are attempting to secure Araujo’s future by offering him a contract extension, aiming to either remove or increase his release clause. Still, negotiations have stalled, presenting an opportunity for interested clubs.

Manchester United’s interest dates back to December, as reported by TEAMtalk correspondent Graeme Bailey, with scouts having monitored Araujo for several months. The potential arrival of a new left-back at Old Trafford could provide competition for Luke Shaw and allow Patrick Dorgu to play a more attacking role.

Tottenham’s interest is influenced by the uncertain future of Destiny Udogie, with club officials reportedly considering a sale or loan move for the Italian, attracting attention from Serie A. While Spurs signed Brazilian left-back Souza in January, further reinforcement in that position remains a possibility.

Chelsea are also seeking to bolster their left-back options, despite having Marc Cucurella and promising youngster Jorrel Hato in their squad.

Elsewhere at Tottenham, reports suggest the club are actively pursuing a return for former manager Mauricio Pochettino, even if the team is relegated to the Championship. A well-connected insider has claimed Pochettino would “100 per cent” be willing to return.

Tottenham loanee Joao Palhinha, currently with Bayern Munich, is “most likely” to return to the German club at the end of the season, with Spurs not expected to trigger their pre-agreed €30m (£26m) buy option.