Chelsea is looking at Sporting CP’s Maxi Araújo as the man to fill the left-back slot that Marc Cucurella might soon vacate. The Uruguayan defender carries an €80M release clause, but the actual price tag could land somewhere between €35M and €50M, a discount that makes him one of the more interesting targets of the summer window.

Born on February 15, 2000, Maximiliano Araújo is a 26-year-old who can play left-back or left winger. He joined Sporting CP on August 27, 2024, signing a contract that runs through June 30, 2029.

At Sporting, Araújo has primarily operated as a wing-back. He also represents Uruguay at the international level.

Chelsea’s scouting interest reportedly intensified around June 14-15, 2026, coinciding with growing noise about Cucurella’s potential departure. Manchester United was also noted as having interest in Araújo as far back as late May 2026, according to CaughtOffside.

Cucurella has been linked with a return to La Liga, where he played for Getafe and Barcelona before his move to Brighton and eventually Chelsea. Araújo’s ability to play both as a traditional full-back and as an advanced wing-back gives him an edge over more one-dimensional candidates.

An €80M release clause sounds enormous, but the reported actual asking price of €35M to €50M puts Araújo in a very different bracket. That gap between clause and expected fee suggests Sporting CP might be willing to negotiate, particularly if the player pushes for a move to the Premier League.

No verified bids have been submitted as of now, and neither Chelsea, Sporting CP, nor Araújo’s camp have made official statements.

Competition from Manchester United could complicate matters. If both clubs enter serious negotiations with Sporting CP, the price inevitably gets pushed higher, potentially closer to that €80M clause.