Chelsea are set to sign the £70m star in the first big-money move of Alonso’s tenure

After a difficult Premier League campaign ended without European qualification, Chelsea have set their sights on £70m Sporting CP defender Maxi Araujo.

Chelsea are planning a first-rate move for Alonso

It was a poor campaign for those at Stamford Bridge. They are now three seasons into the BlueCo project and are set to enter next season without Champions League football, without Europa League football and without a place in the Europa Conference League. It’s not for lack of investment, either. That is the most worrying aspect of all.

The arrival of Xabi Alonso must change things. He is the fifth permanent manager in the last three years, but has a track record that suggests he will ultimately be the one to get this project going.

Investments by those at the top will continue, perhaps starting with a much-needed defender. According to Caught Offside, Chelsea are now planning to move Araujo from Sporting this summer.

The talented left-back reportedly has a £70m release clause and has also attracted interest from Manchester City. That is the level at which he works.

It would be the first move for Alonso if the Blues manage to get in ahead of Man City and possibly former manager Enzo Maresca in the coming months.

If the West Londoners want to give Marc Cucurella strong competition, then Araujo is definitely a good choice. The South American is almost a carbon copy of the Spaniard and is at the peak of his powers at the age of 26.

Add in the fact that he can also play as a winger, and Alonso could be a wingback in the making for a big-money Chelsea target.

£70m Araujo would be a good fit for Chelsea

Replacing Cucurella would be a challenge for Araujo. The Chelsea left-back isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and there was no doubt that he had been a consistent performer throughout the campaign. And without European football, the games will not be strong and fast.

What should help is his already mentioned ability to play as a defender. At a time when Chelsea’s wide men are under heavy scrutiny, Araujo could provide an unexpected solution.

Although reports have suggested that Chelsea are unlikely to trigger the defender’s £70m release clause, they could still test Sporting’s decision for a lower fee. For a player who would fit right in with Alonso’s back five, it could be worth a long-term pursuit.

Read next: Chelsea could see £80m bid accepted to sign England star