Sporting want to tie down one of their best and make him a top earner | OneFootball

Maxi Araújo has already returned to training with Sporting, but the intention of the Lions' SAD goes far beyond ensuring the Uruguayan international’s continuity. The green-and-white hierarchy want to ward off interest from Europe’s giants and, if the player remains at Alvalade, move immediately towards a new contract.

The winger is already with the team at their training camp in Lagos, after representing Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup. The Sporting board still sees the player as one of the most important members of Rui Borges’ squad.

Chelsea and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the player’s progress, although at this stage they have only made informal contacts. Sporting, for their part, do not intend to negotiate the player’s sale and will only consider opening talks in the face of an offer close to his €80 million release clause.

The Uruguayan’s stay could also result in internal recognition. According to the newspaper 'A Bola', the board intends to revise the winger’s contract terms, offering him a higher salary and placing him among the highest-paid players in the squad.

There is also complete openness on the player’s side to continue at Alvalade. After a season in which he posted the best numbers of his career, Maxi Araújo returned motivated to make his mark again in Sporting’s shirt. In 2025/26, he played 47 official matches, scored seven goals and provided five assists.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.