FC Barcelona Makes Araujo Sale Decision, Reports Mundo Deportivo
FC Barcelona has made a decision on whether to sell its center back Ronald Araujo according to Mundo ... More Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.
Getty ImagesFC Barcelona has made a decision on whether to sell its center back Ronald Araujo according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.
The Uruguayan made his Barca debut in 2019, receiving a red card just 14 minutes after coming on against Sevilla, but then improved to become regarded as one of the best defenders in the world across the coming years.
The turn of 2024 saw him linked with a potential move to Bayern Munich, however, while early 2025 was full of of rumors that the 26-year-old would join Juventus because of talks over a new contract breaking down.
They were thankfully ironed out with Araujo extending his terms in Catalonia until 2031. But while last season ended with Barca celebrating a domestic treble under Hansi Flick, it wasn’t all good times and parties for the stalwart.
In his injured absence following a knock picked up at the Copa America, Araujo lost his place on the back line to Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez and was blamed for his role in goals scored by Inter Milan which knocked Barca out of the Champions League semifinal second leg at the San Siro.
Many also point the finger at Araujo for his red card in the UCL in 2023/2024 against Paris Saint-Germain, and it playing a huge part in Barca losing a quarterfinal tie to Luis Enrique in Montjuic.
They would like to see the Blaugrana cash in on him by putting Araujo on the market and selling the number 4 to the highest bidder.
According to Mundo Deportivo, however, Barca president Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco won’t do that because they view Araujo as the “the center back with the most defensive power of all and the fastest in the world in high intensity”.
Ultimately, however, it might not be FC Barcelona that decides whether Araujo sticks around or not. As we previously saw with Ousmane Dembele, who eventually walked to PSG, his fresh contract included a release clause which drops to $67.7 million (€60 million) from July 1 to 15 meaning any club that puts that amount on the table will have the right to negotiate with Araujo.
