The club have been using the ongoing World Cup as a prime scouting opportunity to see how players handle the pressure of performing on the biggest stage for their country, with one player in particular catching their eye, Tomas Araujo.
Should Borussia Dortmund Make A Move For Tomas Araujo?
Who Is Tomas Araujo?
The defender started for Portugal in their opening World Cup game against DR Congo, which ended 1-1.
REUTERS/Phil NobleA right-footed central defender, Tomas Araujo featured heavily for Benfica last season, managed by Jose Mourinho.
He starred in matches against Real Madrid and Napoli, among others, during Benfica's Champions League campaign, and contributed to Benfica going unbeaten in the league all season.
What Has Been Reported?
It has been reported via Ruhr24 that Borussia Dortmund have been looking at Benfica and Portugal central defender Tomas Araujo.
Now, no offer has yet been submitted for the defender, but it is known that he has a release clause of €80 million and is contracted to Benfica until 2029, while he is valued at an estimated €30 million by Transfermarkt.
How Likely Is It That Tomas Araujo Makes The Move To Borussia Dortmund, And Do They Need Him?
As for the likelihood of Borussia Dortmund making a move for the 24-year-old, it would seem unlikely.
The club have already bought Joane Gadou from RB Salzburg, which you would have assumed was the replacement for the retiring Niklas Sule.
Additionally, if Nico Schlotterbeck if he was to leave this summer, which now seems less likely if the injury he picked up in Germany's second World Cup game against the Ivory Coast is long-term, Tomas Araujo would not be a like-for-like replacement for the German defender.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kevin SousaNot only is Nico Schlotterbeck left-footed as opposed to Tomas Araujo being right-footed, but also their playstyles are different, with Nico Schlotterbeck being slightly bigger in height and stature; he is often more aerially dominant both offensively and defensively than Tomas Araujo is for Benfica.
REUTERS/Benoit TessierFurthermore, Borussia Dortmund already have central defenders of a similar profile to Tomas Araujo in Luca Reggiani and, more closely comparable, Filippo Mane, so will the club be looking to bring in another player of a similar profile?
Filippo Mane, in particular, offers Borussia Dortmund a very similar style to what Tomas Araujo would offer, and Borussia Dortmund don't have to pay potentially €80 million for Filippo Mane's services, as he is a Borussia Dortmund academy graduate.
They are both the same height and defend in an aggressive manner, without being necessarily aerially dominant due to the other defenders around them, Nicolas Otamendi for Tomas Araujo and Nico Schlotterbeck for Filippo Mane, both being stronger in the air, and that is despite Otamendi's smaller height.
Author's Verdict
Borussia Dortmund are not particularly in need of another central defender; that may change depending on Nico Schlotterbeck's situation. Whether Nico Schlotterbeck's injury is long-term or if he departs the club this summer, in those scenarios, the club may need to look to invest in the defence.
However, Tomas Araujo seems unlikely to be the best replacement for Nico Schlotterbeck, and it is more likely that, should Borussia Dortmund need to replace the German defender, they would purchase a more established and proven defender, at least a player who has experience at a higher level than Liga Portugal, and ideally someone who is experienced in the Bundesliga or another one of Europe's top leagues.
