It was understood that Brighton & Hove Albion watched Benfica's 24-year-old Portuguese defender Tomás Araújo last month. It was also reported that Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United observed the player during the same period. Chelsea and Manchester United are also monitoring Araújo, having made multiple checks and attended his standout Champions League performance against AC Milan. A January transfer is considered unlikely because Araújo signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Benfica last month, despite the Premier League interest. This contract contains an €80m (£68m) release clause. It is reported that the club will not consider any mid-season offers below that amount, and it is expected that attention will shift to the summer. The Portugal international has 6 caps for his country and joined Benfica in July 2022. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €30.00m.