This summer could be one of significant change for Chelsea as Xabi Alonso takes charge at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues sacked both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior this season, with caretaker boss Calum McFarlane in the hot seat for the final month of the campaign.
McFarlane will now be part of Alonso’s backroom staff, though, with the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager taking up his new role at the start of July.
The Spaniard could benefit from his side not featuring in Europe next term, with the Blues’ tenth-placed finish this season not enough to secure qualification.
Ahead of Alonso’s imminent arrival, it appears that Chelsea are in the running to sign a highly rated South American defender.
According to CaughtOffside, both Chelsea and Premier League rivals Manchester United are interested in Sporting CP full-back, Maxi Araujo.
Araujo is on the radar of both Chelsea and Manchester United (Photo: Icon Sport/Alamy)
The report claims that the two English sides are both interested in the Uruguayan, who has been in fine form for Sporting this term.
Having joined the Portuguese giants from Mexican side Toluca in 2024, Araujo has now played more than 90 times for his current side across all competitions, including 47 appearances during the recent campaign.
It is claimed that his impressive displays have attracted attention from several clubs, with Arsenal also having been credited with an interest in the player.
Despite several clubs chasing the Uruguay international, the report claims that the player’s current contract – which doesn’t expire until 2029 – includes a release clause set at £70 million, which puts Sporting in a relatively strong position.
United are on the hunt for a left-back this summer, with the position having become something of a problem area for the Red Devils in recent seasons.