Mourinho wants Benfica star, Rui Costa knows Madrid threat | OneFootball

José Mourinho has already handed Real Madrid a list of several names he would like to see strengthen the Merengues squad for next season. Among the players identified by the Portuguese coach is one of Benfica’s most highly valued figures.

According to Spanish journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon, the name in question is Tomás Araújo. Mourinho knows the Portugal international well from the time he coached Benfica and remains an admirer of the Benfica centre-back’s qualities. Even so, the same source guarantees that Real Madrid have not yet made any formal move to try to sign him.

At 24, Tomás Araújo is going through one of the best moments of his career and is currently in the United States, where he is representing Portugal at the World Cup. The competition could serve as yet another international showcase for the defender, who has been steadily cementing his status in and around Benfica.

Even so, at the Luz the picture is clear. Rui Costa and Benfica’s hierarchy are not considering letting the centre-back go, as he is seen as one of the club’s main pillars for both the present and the future. Even with Mourinho’s alleged interest, Benfica are not considering Tomás Araújo’s departure in this transfer window.

Last season for Benfica, Tomás Araújo — valued at €30 million — made 39 official appearances: 23 in Liga Portugal Betclic, nine in the Champions League, four in the Portuguese Cup, two in the League Cup and one in Liga Portugal Meu Super. In the 2,795 minutes he spent on the pitch, the defender recorded one goal and two assists.

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