Maxi Araujo’s representatives are sounding out Premier League interest, but Sporting remain determined to keep hold of one of their key players.
Arsenal have again been linked with Maxi Araújo, after reports in Portugal claimed the Sporting CP wide player has been offered to both the Gunners and Liverpool as his representatives explore the possibility of a move to the Premier League.
Araújo has reportedly been admired by leading English clubs since last season and, according to reports, his representatives have informed Arsenal and Liverpool that the Uruguay international is keen to play in England and would be open to a transfer.
According to The S*n, the player’s agents have taken advantage of interest generated by his performances last season, along with his displays at the World Cup, where he scored twice and registered an assist despite Uruguay failing to progress beyond the group stage.
The report claims Arsenal and Liverpool are now assessing the opportunity of signing the left back.
While suggestions in England have indicated Sporting could be willing to negotiate for around €60 million, reports in Portugal paint a different picture.
The club reportedly regard Araújo as an essential part of their plans and would only contemplate a sale for a figure much closer to his €80 million release clause.
Sporting are also understood to be working to secure the 26-year-old’s long-term future.
Reports state the Portuguese champions have proposed extending his contract by a further year, until 2030, while tripling his salary to around €2 million net per season, which is a little less than what Arsenal already pay 16-year-old Max Dowman.
It is also claimed the player has accepted those terms after receiving assurances that the club would be prepared to facilitate a future transfer for a fee below his release clause, similar to the arrangement that preceded Morten Hjulmand‘s departure.
Any move, however, is expected to depend on whether interested clubs are prepared to meet Sporting’s valuation.
You might also remember Araújo from Arsenal’s game against Sporting in the Champions League last season.
While reports in Portugal claim his performance impressed the Arsenal management, Arsenal fans remember him setting a competition-high foul count without ever getting booked.
He was the first defender this decade to commit seven or more fouls without a yellow card.
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