Chelsea make contact over 'untouchable' £85m defender Tomas Araujo

Chelsea have enquired about the availability of Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo ahead of tomorrow's transfer deadline.  But the Blues were told under no uncertain terms that the 22-year-old Portuguese defender, who has an £85million release clause written into his current deal in Lisbon, is not for sale. Crystal Palace had also shown interest in Araujo earlier this month and the Eagles are understood to have seen an offer worth in the region of £25m rebuffed by Benfica before moving onto other targets.  Paris Saint-Germain have also been sniffing around the player as Milan Skriniar has been in talks with Al-Nassr over a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League. But Benfica are reluctant to continue flogging their most-valuable assets, particularly this late in the window, having already sold star midfielder Joao Neves to PSG in a £60m move inclusive of add-ons.

Furthermore, Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig are also looking to pull off a late swoop for Araujo's defensive partner Antonio Silva.

Chelsea are believed to have held exploratory talks for Araujo in anticipation that at least one central defender will depart Stamford Bridge before the end of the market.  Trevoh Chalobah looks poised to leave Chelsea after being frozen out of the first-team picture by Enzo Maresca with Crystal Palace among a list of clubs keen on the versatile 25-year-old. Newcastle have also shown brief interest in Axel Disasi as the Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea this season despite being a firm favourite under former boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Even then, Chelsea still have four senior centre-backs in Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile at their disposal - meaning a new defensive signing does not seem essential.

Therefore, an eleventh-hour for Araujo seems highly unlikely at this stage, particularly given Benfica feel under no pressure to sell, but when Chelsea are concerned you can never truly say never.  Benfica boss Roger Schmidt recently declared that Araujo will "100 per cent be staying" at the club despite widespread interest in his services and Chelsea are also currently prioritising the signing of a new No.9 before the deadline.  Both Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney remain live options but the Blues will only sign one centre-forward and a deal will only be sanctioned on what they consider to be realistic financial terms.  Both Osimhen and Toney are also wanted by Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli and their respective futures are expected to go to the wire. PSG are not thought to be pursuing Napoli frontman Osimhen despite reports to the contrary.