Chelsea, PSG Summer Target Signs Contract Extension Until 2029, Increased Release Clause | OneFootball

As the summer transfer window neared its end, Paris Saint-Germain made a last-ditch effort to bolster their defense.

In August, L’Équipe’s Loïc Tanzi revealed that PSG had offered Tomás Araújo a €5 million annual contract but was waiting to sell a center-back before finalizing the deal.

At the same time, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea had Araújo on their radar as a potential target should they decide to offload a defender in the final days of the window. Although Chelsea had not made an official bid, they saw Araújo as an exciting prospect.

Both PSG and Chelsea showed interest in the 22-year-old, but Benfica had no intention of selling. Romano also mentioned that the Portuguese club ultimately chose to keep Araújo, having already sold several players earlier in the summer.

Tomás Araújo extends stay at SL Benfica despite PSG links

FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images

On Tuesday, Romano shared that Araujo’s new contract with Benfica, which runs until June 2029, includes a release clause set at €80 million. Chelsea and PSG both showed interest in him last summer, while Crystal Palace made two offers, but Benfica was never willing to sell.

Last month, CaughtOffside reported that Chelsea are eyeing two young defenders from Benfica—Antonio Silva and Araújo—to bolster their backline.