Tottenham battle four Premier League rivals for Benfica star with £68m release clause

Tottenham Hotspur are competing with four Premier League rivals to sign Benfica center-back Tomas Araujo. According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham officials scouted the 24-year-old at Estadio da Luz, while Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, and Manchester United are also monitoring the defender ahead of the January transfer window.

A mid-season permanent transfer appears unlikely because Araujo recently signed a four-and-a-half-year contract containing an €80m (£68m) release clause. Benfica manager Marco Silva views Araujo as an essential player, meaning interested clubs may have to trigger the full buyout clause or wait until summer 2026.