Contact made: Arsenal working on signing CL opponent who impressed against them

Arsenal have reportedly already established contact with the representatives of Sporting Lisbon left-back Maxi Araujo ahead of a potential summer transfer.

The Uruguay international impressed during Sporting’s recent Champions League quarter-final clash against the Gunners, putting in solid displays in both legs in a close tie.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Arsenal have now registered an interest in the €60m-rated player, though things are still described as being at an early exploratory stage.

Still, Araujo looks like someone it’s worth taking a close look at, with the 26-year-old notching up an impressive eight goals and five assists in all competitions for club and country so far this season.

How could Maxi Araujo fit in at Arsenal?

Araujo mainly plays as a left-back, but is versatile enough to also offer an option in attack as a left-sided midfielder or forward.

WhoScored‘s stats page for Araujo describe finishing as one of his strengths, as well as key passes, and more defensive skills like tackling.

It also mentions the different positions the South American has played in this season, with the vast majority of those coming at left-back, but which also includes eight appearances as an attacking left-sided player, and even one as a central attacking midfielder.

One imagines a player who can operate in that many different positions would appeal a lot to Mikel Arteta, who could do with adding both quality and depth for next season.

Maxi Araujo Transfer Fit rating

Given the poor injury record of Riccardo Calafiori, and the loss of form of Myles Lewis-Skelly this season, it makes sense that an attack-minded left-back of this profile is being looked at.

All in all, we’d score this a pretty high medium using our Transfer Fit rating system – read here for a better understanding of how it works, and see below for our Araujo rating…

Would you like to see Araujo joining Arsenal? Let us know your opinions in the comments!