The 22-year-old recently received his first Portugal call-up and is expected to have a huge future in the national team
Newcastle United are expected to continue their hunt for a new centre back in the January transfer window after a frustrating summer which was dominated by the club’s failed pursuit of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi and former Fulham ace Tosin Adarabioyo.
The Magpies entered the season short on centre back options with both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman sustaining ACL injuries at the midpoint of last season. The pair are expected to be out until at least January 2025 but even then will need to be eased back into first team action due to the severity of their injuries.
Tomas Araujo has emerged as a target for Newcastle United.Tomas Araujo has emerged as a target for Newcastle United.
Tomas Araujo has emerged as a target for Newcastle United. | AFP via Getty Images
For most of the campaign Fabian Schar and Dan Burn have been the team’s first choice centre back partnership with Emil Krafth providing cover from the bench. However, heading into the next game against West Ham United, Newcastle are missing Burn due to suspension and are now dealing with a fresh blow to defender Krafth who has withdrawn from international duty with Sweden with reports of a broken collarbone.
As it stands, Schar and summer signing Lloyd Kelly are likely to be the Magpie starting defensive pairing but there is an extreme shortage of cover in the centre back area for the remainder of 2025. Krafth’s latest injury has only amplified the need for Newcastle to bolster their centre back options and recent reports from Portuguese outlet O Jogo claim that sporting director Paul Mitchell has now identified Benfica centre back Tomas Araujo as the club’s number one winter target.
Araujo is a right sided central defender that has progressed through the highly esteemed Benfica academy. The 22-year-old made his first team debut as a teenager in 2021 and has gradually progressed to become one of the most important defenders in Benfica’s backline following a successful loan spell at fellow top-flight side Gil Vicente. The young defender has racked up 15 appearances across all competitions this season and in October was promoted into Roberto Martinez’s senior Portugal squad for the first time in his career.
He is capable of playing both as a centre back and a right back and has reportedly been identified as the type of defender that can take Newcastle to the next level.
“In terms of my initial observations of Tomás Araújo, I have absolutely zero concerns over his abilities in possession. Passing range, comfortability stepping into midfield, calmness under pressure and carrying all elite. I would like to see the defensive line height though and how he copes out of possession. Should be an interesting one,” said performance analyst Jack Fawcett.
Portuguese outlet O Jogo reports that the St James’ Park club are one of the frontrunners to land the Benfica star, who has a release clause of £84m included in his contract.
However, the Magpies are not the only contenders to sign the defender and both Chelsea and Crystal Palace are also thought to have made ‘formal contact’ with Benfica over the youngster’s availability.
