According to well-placed sources at Catalan newspaper Sport. Barcelona is growing increasingly anxious about Chelsea’s interest in central defender Ronald Araujo.
They believe that the Uruguayan loves Barcelona and wants to stay. But that, Chelsea, is currently offering twice as much as the Blaugrana for the defender’s long-term contract.
He appears to be staying put for the time being. But the pressure Chelsea is putting on him will raise doubts about his future.
Araujo has progressed from a promising youngster to a reliable performer in the last year. After being pushed into the deep end. During a difficult period in Barcelona, he is likely to see his growth best served. By remaining with the club where he has risen through the ranks.
Ronald Araujo could be leaving Barcelona
But money talks, and if the rumors are accurate. Ronald Araujo won’t be able to say no to a large pay increase.
In the summer of 2018, Ronald Araujo joined Barcelona. The Uruguayan defender made his first-team debut in 2019 after spending the previous season with the club’s B team. But had to wait until last season to become a regular member of the squad. Since then, the defender has made significant progress, firmly establishing himself as one of La Liga’s greatest defenders.
Araujo has made 63 appearances for Barcelona thus far, and he also has seven caps for the Uruguayan national team. However, due to his contract predicament, the 22-year-future old’s at Camp Nou has been thrown into question.
His current contract with the Blaugrana is set to expire in eighteen months. Putting him in the final year of his contract in the summer.
Barcelona is attempting to extend his contract. But it appears that Araujo’s agents are hunting for potential bidders for the defender. According to the aforementioned source, the centre-back has been offered to Barça’s arch-rivals Real Madrid. Who needs defensive reinforcements?
Man United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are rumored to be Araujo’s main Premier League suitors.
Liverpool is apparently interested in signing Araujo. They have also reportedly offered Gavi, a 17-year-old Barcelona midfielder, a €10 million contract. While Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in signing Araujo, Chelsea is also apparently interested.
Unless Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Cesar Azpilicueta sign new contracts, the Blues’ defence will undergo significant changes. Chelsea will need a top new centre-back recruit if all three leave after the season.
While Jules Kounde of Sevilla has been a long-term aim, Araujo has just lately surfaced on their radar.
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