As expected, Portuguese central defender Tomas Araujo (22) extended his contract with SL Benfica this week, but remains more than ever a potential target for PSG in view of the next summer transfer window.
Courted last summer by PSG, who anticipated a possible departure of Milan Skriniar, Tomas Araujo (22 years old) finally stayed at SL Benfica where he has since this season become an indisputable starter with his training club, moving ahead of the other great defensive hope of the club, Antonio Silva, in the hierarchy of central defenders.
Rewarded last month for his very good start to the season with a first selection with Portugal, Tomas Araujo extended this Monday until June 2029 with SL Benfica, one more year compared to his old contract which he had already extended in July 2023. The Portuguese central defender has also obtained a salary increase reflecting his new status as an indisputable starter in his team.
But the little surprise came from his release clause. According to the Portuguese media, Benfica wanted to increase it from 80 to 100 million euros, in anticipation of the next summer transfer window during which Tomas Araujo risks being very courted, whether by Premier League clubs or by PSG, who have been following him since last summer.
Tomas Araujo's clause remains at 80 million euros
Finally, his release clause remains set at 80 million euros according to Record and A Bola. This obviously remains a very high amount, but the fact that his clause remains unchanged is still good news for his pursuers and a sign that the player wants to keep the doors to his future open. Nothing says in any case that the player will be transferred for such a large amount in the event of a future transfer (see João Neves, transferred to PSG for €60 million + €10 million while his clause was €120 million).
However, one thing seems certain, Tomas Araujo will not leave Benfica next January. His club absolutely wants to keep him and Araujo does not want to leave during the season, as he confirmed to the SL Benfica media on the sidelines of his extension: “ From an individual point of view, I want to continue to progress. I think that with this group, I have progressed a lot, training after training, match after match, and I hope that will continue. As a team we want to win every match, we want to be champions. This is the big objective of the season and we will give everything for it. »
