Maxi Araujo: Arsenal take major step in pursuit of Man United target
Maxi Araujo: Arsenal take major step in pursuit of Man United target One area of the pitch where Manchester United could be tempted to invest this summer is the left-back position. Luke Shaw may be enjoying a new lease of life this season, but he will turn 31 this summer, at which point he will also enter the final year of his contract. The Englishman appears to have shaken off his injury troubles in the past 12 months and has started every game in the Premier League this season.
Shaw did not look out of place as part of a back three in former head coach Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. When the Portuguese lost his job in January and Michael Carrick took charge as caretaker manager until the end of the season, the Red Devils switched to a back four. Shaw , though, slotted seamlessly into his natural left-back role and has played an important role in the team’s recent rise.
However, his future remains unclear, and with Patrick Dorgu flourishing in a more attacking position, reinforcing the left-back position could be on INEOS’ agenda this summer. A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests that United already have their eyes on Sporting full-back Maxi Araujo as Shaw’s possible successor. Primeira Liga’s Flying full-back Araujo arrived at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the summer of 2024 from Mexican club Toluca, and briefly worked with Amorim.
By the end of the season, the Uruguayan had cemented his place in the starting XI. This season, the 26 year old has managed to hit a higher gear, and has subsequently turned heads at Old Trafford. Araujo has registered six goals and four assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for the Portuguese club, all but four of which were starts.
Maxi Araujo Stats: 2025/26 Season Source: Transfermarkt . A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person suggested that United could secure the Uruguayan’s signature for €40-50m this summer. However, it now appears that a Premier League rival is ready to pip the Red Devils to Araujo’s signature.