Liverpool have spoken with the agents of Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo about a potential move to Anfield.
That’s according to 90min, who claim that Araujo is in the middle of a precarious contract situation at Barca. Just like teammate and fellow reported Liverpool transfer target Gavi, the Uruguayan is said to be potentially leaving the Camp Nou on a free transfer this summer.
Similarly to Gavi, Araujo signed a new contract at Barcelona last year. However, due to the Catalan’s financial issues, there’s reportedly a chance that the 24-year-old’s deal could be cancelled. It’s claimed that Araujo would then be forced to revert back to his former contract, which was due to end this summer. As a result, the Uruguay international could potentially be available for nothing.
This has reportedly led to the player’s agents ‘fielding enquiries’ from several interested clubs. Liverpool are said to be one such club, and – along with a handful of Premier League and Champions League level sides – have asked about Aruajo’s availabilty.
For now though, Barca are claimed to be ‘unconcerned’ about the prospect of the centre-back leaving this summer. As with Gavi, they reportedly maintain a confidence that Araujo’s contract won’t be an issue. They supposedly ‘insist’ that both Araujo and Gavi will be Barcelona players next season.
However, they are said to have at least acknowledged that the current situation has been ‘upsetting’ for the Uruguay international.
Liverpool back in for Araujo
Like with Gavi, there does remain a feeling that Barca will worm their way out of this current predicament. No matter the money troubles at Camp Nou, they nearly always find a way to resolve things to their satisfaction.
The one notable – very notable – exception to this was the situation surrounding Lionel Messi in 2021. Back then, it seemed impossible that La Liga wouldn’t bend their rules to allow Messi to continue at Barcelona. In the end, the league called the club’s bluff and the best player of all time was forced to leave on a free.
If that can happen to Messi, then it can certainly happen to Araujo and Gavi, too.
Ignoring the teenaged midfielder for a second though, what a signing Araujo would be for Liverpool. He has arguably been the best defender in Europe this season and is still only twenty-four. Manager Xavi has labelled him ‘spectacular.’
Liverpool are clearly fans having been linked with him in the months prior to his contract extension last summer. They reportedly even offered Araujo a contract. If there’s a chance the Reds could bring him in for nothing, then they have to be all over it.
As they look for a long-term partner for Ibrahima Konate, there wouldn’t be many better options than Darwin Nunez’s international teammate. Unfortunately though, we have a hunch Barca will wean their way out of this scrape.