Ruben Amorim tells Man United to rival Chelsea for outstanding Benfica star in transfer race

Ruben Amorim tells Man United to rival Chelsea for outstanding Benfica star in transfer race

Ruben Amorim has urged Manchester United to rival Chelsea in the transfer race to sign Benfica star Tomás Araújo, according to reports.

Chelsea is rumored to be “in love” with the remarkable young center-back Araújo, who has made a name for himself in the Benfica starting lineup.

The Red Devils are now vying for Benfica’s signature, and the Blues are supposedly one of the English teams that have initiated negotiations with him.

Amorim, United’s new manager, has put Araujo on his personal want list and will speak with Old Trafford decision-makers on Friday about a potential transfer.

According to The Sun, They add that although though Araújo’s contract reportedly has a €100 million release clause, United may still try to negotiate a £50 million deal during the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old, who recently received his first cap for Portugal, has played 37 first-team games for the Portuguese team after graduating from Benfica’s academy.

Chelsea tried to sign Araújo last summer but they left it too late before the window closed

Araujo was also targeted by Crystal Palace and French side Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, who played with Araújo at Benfica, is convinced that he can become one of the best defenders in world football

‘If he keeps doing what he’s been doing, he has everything to be one of the best defenders in the world in a year or two,’ Vertonghen told CNN Portugal.

Araújo helped Benfica clinch the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira title in 2023.

United are also keen to bring in a new striker and left-back as the Amorim era gets underway.

The Red Devils have identified four possible strikers and three potential left-backs ahead of the January window.