From Portugal: Hugo Viana competing with Manchester United for Sporting defender Maxi Araujo | OneFootball

Manchester City are joining city rivals Manchester United in the race for Sporting CP left-back Maxi Araujo, according to reports from Portugal.

The 26-year-old been one of his side’s standout performers this season, particularly in the UEFA Champions League against the likes of Arsenal and Paris-Saint Germain. 

Even with Sporting’s exit at the quarter-final stage, the attacking-minded defender’s numbers and general impact have kept him on the shortlist of many major European clubs. Araujo registered 30 tackles in the competition, putting him at sixth, while recording a high number of balls recovered alongside fellow sought-after teammate Morten Hjulmand. 

Araujo’s duels won statistic puts him alongside the likes of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Atletico Madrid’s Giuliano Simeone, which explains the pre-existing interest from Premier League sides way before City and United entered talks.

Report: Man City and Man United enter Araujo race

Tottenham and Chelsea were early movers and made contact with the player’s representatives, even sending scouts to watch the Uruguay international in Lisbon and abroad. 

Now, as reported by A Bola in Portugal and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City and Manchester United are leading the race for Araujo and are assessing what it would take to sign him in the upcoming transfer window. 

An initial approach was made by United, who are hoping to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 season, but City’s involvement has made the race much more competitive.

Where would Araujo fit in at Man City?

Araujo can play at left-back as well as in midfield, having missed only one game in Sporting’s European campaign this season and featuring in all but five matches in the Portuguese top-flight. 

Versatility is one of modern-day football’s best-selling attributes and the Uruguayan’s ability to operate down the left gives suitors multiple options.

That strength, combined with his defensive output, makes him a strong fit for teams that rely on dynamic wide players.

What is Sporting’s stance on a sale for Araujo?

Indeed, Sporting are not actively looking to sell. In fact, they are trying to give him a larger salary to keep him at the club for longer but they understand that some offers may be hard to pass. 

Being under contract until 2029 gives Sporting the upper hand and with a release clause of £69 million, it’s unlikely that the club would accept anything drastically below that value. 

Not only does that create an attainable entry point for City, especially considering the previous deals that sporting director Hugo Viana has managed to pull off, but clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham may struggle, particularly the latter two, given the unlikelihood of European football next season.