PSG has established a privileged commercial relationship with Benfica for several years. Often recruiting players from Lisbon training at a high price, the capital club has several former Benfiquists in its squad. This summer, the arrival of João Neves for 70 million euros turned out to be a great deal and makes PSG want to consolidate this fruitful relationship to say the least. And with the contingent of leaders close to the Portuguese sector and the privileged relationships of Parisian leaders with Jorge Mendes, this collaboration is far from exhausted. For several months, the current leader of Ligue 1 has been eyeing one of the executives of the residents of the Estadio da Luz.
Indeed, with a view to strengthening its defense and to prevent the almost inevitable departure of Milan Skriniar, Paris would like to attract Tomas Araujo. Promoted last season to the Benfica rearguard, the 22-year-old defender impressed with his composure and his great power in the game. Qualities which allowed him to stand out in the eyes of several European leaders including PSG. Finally, his trainer Roger Schmidt had put barbed wire around his crack this summer: “Tomás Araújo will stay at Benfica, that’s 100% certain. Last season he played several minutes, but we knew that in 2024/2025 it would be important for him to have another status. It is essential that he continues to play, as he is a key player in our team. We are calm about the situation of our central defenders, because we have quality.»
Tomas Araujo should extend with Benfica
Now indisputable with the Lisbon team as the German coach had promised, but now under the leadership of Bruno Lage, Araujo continues to have fun with his training club. But even though he even made his first selection with Portugal, his rating continues to rise and his courtiers are jostling at the gate. Among these contenders, PSG is still present. Eager to strengthen their defense, the residents of the Parc des Princes still have the profile of the 22-year-old player in the back of their minds. Problem, after having struggled to recruit him last summer, Paris should still have difficulty signing him this winter. Worse still, the defender would have even taken a radical measure for his future.
As reported by numerous Portuguese sources including Record And CNN PortugalTomas Araujo would indeed be close to extending his contract with Benfica. While he had already recently extended with Benfica until 2028, the 1m87 defender should therefore sign a new lease which will bind him until 2029 with his favorite club. A lease extension which will be accompanied by a significant salary increase to better reflect its new status. It remains to be seen whether this new contract will include a new upwardly revised release clause. As a reminder, PSG will have to pay 100 million euros to recruit the player who has a release clause set at this price.
