Barcelona fears Ronald Araújo’s departure to Real Madrid and decides to negotiate with the defender
Catalan giants explore English transfer options to prevent rival swoop
Barcelona has opened negotiations with Ronald Araújo amid growing fears that Real Madrid could attempt to sign the Uruguayan defender. The club is determined to avoid a situation similar to the infamous Luis Figo transfer in 2000, which remains one of the most controversial moves in football history.
Barcelona’s defensive strategy
According to Fichajes, the Catalan club is actively exploring the option of selling Araújo to the Premier League, both to alleviate its financial debt and to block any possibility of the center-back joining their biggest rivals. The club’s leadership sees this move as a preemptive measure to avoid losing another key player to Madrid under contentious circumstances.
Despite a drop in form during the last season, Araújo is still highly valued in the market and has attracted interest from top European clubs. Barcelona believes that an overseas transfer would be less damaging than a direct sale to a La Liga rival.
Araújo’s Real Madrid links spark concern
Though Real Madrid has not made a formal bid, Barcelona suspects that the Merengue club could be monitoring Araújo’s situation closely. This fear stems in part from Araújo’s history of standout performances against Madrid, particularly during matches where he successfully contained Vinícius Júnior under former coach Xavi Hernández.
Araújo’s recent playing time under new manager Hansi Flick, including a 45-minute appearance in a preseason match against Vissel Kobe, shows that he still figures in Barcelona’s short-term plans. However, the club remains wary of future developments.
A move could pave the way for reinforcements
A potential transfer of the 25-year-old defender could open the door for new signings. Barcelona has recently attempted to sign Nico Williams, although the Spanish winger opted to extend his contract with Athletic Club.
The Catalans are also considering bringing back former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is currently a free agent after parting ways with his Saudi club. His return could offer a low-cost attacking option during the financial rebuilding process.
