標籤: impressing

chelsea’s The growing interest in Maxi Araújo is now colliding with Sporting CP’s transfer strategy, as the Portuguese club begins to shape both its asking price and succession plan.

The Uruguay international has been one of Sporting’s breakout names this season. His Champions League performance This brought them further into the limelight and attracted attention from across Europe.

As we’ve reported throughout this saga, chelsea and tottenham hotspur were one of the first Premier League clubs to make contact regarding the 26-year-old.

Recently, we reported with specificity Newcastle and Aston Villa Were also interested. Manchester United and Manchester City Also entered the picture last month.

Now, the position of the Lisbon side is becoming clearer. As the Portuguese press said, all the suitors ‘already know the demands of Sporting’.

Sporting sets new standards for negotiations

Maxi Araujo is protected by an €80m (£69m) release clause, but it appears Sporting have already established a more realistic starting point internally.

According to Portuguese newspaper to ballThe Lisbon side will only seriously consider offers above €50m (£43m).

This represents another step forward from First €40m-€45m figures Wandering around the market.

The club’s stance reflects both the player’s season and expectations that his value can still rise further.

Araújo has now played in 44 matches this season, scoring seven goals and adding four assists. In the Champions League, he was excellent defensively and physically, which attracted attention especially in England and Spain.

Chelsea connection creates interesting angle

Maxi Araújo’s situation is also indirectly being linked to Chelsea. This latest report suggests that Atletico Madrid have increased their interest in the Sporting player because Negotiations proving difficult for Mark Cucurella.

Diego Simeone’s side saw the Chelsea defender as their priority option on the left. However, the move is becoming increasingly complicated, with Araújo quickly moving from an alternative target to a much more serious possibility.

It creates an interesting dynamic around Chelsea.

On one hand, the Blues have already shown interest in Araújo. On the other hand, their reluctance to facilitate Cucurella’s exit could now help Atlético pursue a move for a Sporting player.

tottenham And Manchester United Be part of the wider group of clubs closely monitoring developments.

Sporting is already preparing for the possibility of an exit

Despite their desire to retain him publicly, Sporting have also been working pragmatically behind the scenes.

The report adds that the club are already scanning the market for a left-sided replacement. This plan becomes even more relevant if Araújo and his replacement Ricardo Mangas both leave this summer.

Internally, there is also discussion about potentially two players being signed for the position if a departure occurs.

That doesn’t mean Sporting expects a sale any time soon. However, it does show that they are preparing for the possibility.

World Cup strategy could delay everything

Although all signs point towards an imminent movement, Maxi Araújo’s future may not change so soon.

Sporting’s idea is to wait until after the World Cup before having concrete talks. There is a belief within the club that a strong tournament with Uruguay could boost his valuation even higher.

For interested clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United, the challenge may now be as much time as money.

The market is clearly building around Araújo. Sporting believes it could be even bigger in a few months.

Tottenham Hotspur star Xavi Simmons has found himself in the sights of Raphael van der Vaart, and the former Tottenham midfielder is not impressed.

De Telegraaf reports on Van der Vaart’s comments today. He has been critical of Simmons on Ziggo Sport’s Rondo. And he admitted he expected more from the 22-year-old.

“He disappoints me,” He said.

“I expected too much from him. He wants to show how good he is. It has the opposite effect

“He was a young talent and everyone was talking about him. He’s still playing somewhat the same way.”

“Nothing”

This disappointment is partly due to what came before Tottenham. Simons had established himself as a star man at RB Leipzig, scoring 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 games for the club.

He also impressed on loan at PSV Eindhoven, scoring 22 goals and 11 assists in a total of 48 games for the Dutch side. His record so far at Tottenham is four goals and five assists in 38 games.

Van der Vaart was watching and couldn’t understand how it went so badly at Tottenham.

“His spell at Leipzig was really good. Tottenham is nothing. After PSV, he showed it in the Bundesliga as well,” He added.

Van der Vaart is not the only one to be unsure about Xavi Simmons. Dutch icon Ruud Gullit is also watching. And as a result he is left surrounded by questions.

“He’s very hyped. I still don’t really know how good he can be,” He concluded.

Premier League statistics disappoint

Taking a cold look at the numbers certainly wouldn’t make a happy reading with Xavi Simmons, certainly in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has managed just one goal and four assists in 25 games this season. These are not the kind of figures Tottenham expect from a player who cost €65m in the summer. RB Leipzig certainly don’t regret this deal.

TransferMarket now values ​​him at €50m. This alone shows how much Simmons has struggled this season.

Now Van der Vaart has his sights set on him, and he wants everyone to know he’s not impressed. We’re sure Tottenham fans share this sentiment.

Gustaf Lagerbijk is rapidly rebuilding his reputation after leaving Celtic, being praised for the consistency and authority of his performances in Portugal.

according to gameThe Swedish centre-back is on track to reach 40 appearances in his first season at Braga, underlining how important he has become to his current team. The report describes him as a “royal protector”, highlighting the level of status he has reached since then moving on from celtic.

Lagerbilke arrived in Portugal after stints at Celtic and FC Twente. While his time in Scotland offered exposure at a major European club, the move south gave him regular minutes which helped stabilize his development.

This season he has emerged as one of the most used players in the team. He operates as a central man in a three-man defense and has quickly become a pillar of the team’s structure. His calm delivery – both short and long – and his defensive solidity have made him one of the manager’s most reliable options.

The 25-year-old has also provided decisive moments since leaving Celtic. Earlier in the campaign he played a key role in the win over Sporting. In stoppage time, he was fouled inside the penalty area, allowing Rodrigo Zalazar to convert the winning spot-kick.

Beyond defensive work, Lagerbilke remains a threat from set pieces. His aerial ability and physical presence make him a regular target during corners and wide free-kicks.

Swedish perspective on their development

Former Braga striker Stefan Schwarz Eskilsson, who follows the Portuguese league closely, recently watched Lagerbijk in action and came away impressed.

“I watched some of their games because I also watch Braga matches,” he said. “I was also at the stadium for the derby against Vitória Guimaraes.”

From what he’s seen, the Swedish defender has made clear steps forward since leaving Celtic.

“I saw a solid and steady performance. He’s a great defender who doesn’t make mistakes. He’s very secure in his game.” Eskilson said.

The former striker also highlighted the physical and tactical qualities that define Lagerbilke’s style.

“He adds the physical component – ​​he’s very tall, physical and aggressive. But he reads the game very well. He’s an intelligent player.”

what happens next

Lagerbijk’s consistent performances have also helped him earn a place in the Sweden national team, where competition for centre-back places remains strong.

Eskilstuna believes the defender’s trajectory since leaving Celtic shows the value of playing regularly at a high level. And Lagerbilke himself enjoying life in portugal.

“He has improved compared to last season and is now playing in a better league than the Netherlands and Scotland.” He said.

With 39 appearances already this season, the Swedish defender looks set to keep the momentum going – and his post-Celtic chapter is starting to look like the most stable period of his career so far.