FC Bayern apparently continues to explore the possibility of signing Tomás Araújo. The Benfica Lisbon center back has been on Munich’s radar for quite some time—and could now also become an attractive option from a financial standpoint.
Araújo has now established himself as a key player at Benfica and is also on the radar of several top European clubs. The 24-year-old still has a long-term contract in Lisbon that runs through 2031, which strengthens his club’s negotiating position.
Despite the long contract term, Benfica is reportedly willing to let Araújo go for around 40 million euros, according to Tuttomercato. This would already give Bayern a clear idea of the price range they would need to factor in for a potential bid.
For the Munich club, the Portuguese player could be particularly interesting given his development. Araújo is a regular starter at Benfica and regularly gains experience at the international level. At the same time, a transfer would further intensify the competition within Bayern’s defense.
In addition to Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim has also performed strongly recently, which is said to have prompted Bayern officials to consider extending the South Korean’s contract. Added to this is Hiroki Ito, who can also play in central defense. Tomás Araújo would thus be the fifth center back on Bayern’s roster.
Bayern has been interested since 2024
However, his name is not new to Munich. As early as October 2024, there were reports of the record champions’ interest in Araújo. At that time, Benfica declared the player not for sale.
This interest has thus been ongoing for quite some time. While Araújo has further solidified his position at Benfica, he still appears to be on Bayern’s radar nearly two years later.
It remains to be seen whether Munich will actually make a move. With a potential price tag of 40 million euros, however, Benfica has likely made its asking price clear. For Bayern, Araújo thus remains a candidate whose development is likely to continue to be closely monitored.