Araújo nearing Benfica exit after Seixal omission | OneFootball

Henrique Araújo is close to ending his Benfica spell after he was not called to report for the start of pre-season at Seixal. According to Glorioso 1904, the 24-year-old is likely to continue his career away from the Luz, with an overseas move seen as the likeliest scenario.

Benfica’s hierarchy have informed the striker he will not join first-team work at this stage of preparations for the new season. Like Gonçalo Oliveira and Sidny Cabral, the club are seeking a permanent solution that brings financial return for a player under contract until 2027.

His senior impact fell short of early expectations after his rise through the academy. Regarded as one of Seixal’s brightest prospects, he stood out in the victorious 2022 Youth League campaign.

His standout moment came in the final, when he scored three in a 6-0 win over Salzburg. That performance, plus goals late in 2021/22, had many supporters believing a full breakthrough was close.

Reality proved different. Loans followed at Watford, Famalicão and Arouca, and only at Arouca did he recover confidence, scoring seven in 26 games. Signed from Marítimo in 2018, he now prepares to depart eight years after arriving, having played 31 times and scored five goals for the first team.

Source: Glorioso 1904