Barcelona offers Ronald Araújo to Manchester City, but Guardiola rejects deal

Barcelona attempted to offload defender Ronald Araújo this transfer window, but the move hit a wall. According to journalist Mata Garcia, the Catalan club offered the Uruguayan to Manchester City, only for Pep Guardiola to decline the proposal.

Clubs turn down Araújo despite past interest

In addition to City, Barça also offered Araújo to Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Arsenal, and Chelsea. Despite having followed the player in previous seasons, none of the clubs moved forward with negotiations.

Barcelona had set a price tag of €60 million (R$379 million), with president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco convinced his sale was the best solution amid the club’s financial struggles. With no suitors willing to pay, Barça instead offloaded Iñigo Martínez to Al-Nassr.

Why no market for Ronald Araújo?

Sources point to a combination of physical problems and costly mistakes in decisive matches as key reasons behind the lack of offers. Guardiola in particular ruled out the signing due to the defender’s inconsistency.

The low point came in the Champions League clash against Inter Milan, where Araújo delivered one of his worst performances, contributing to Barcelona’s elimination under coach Hansi Flick.

Player vows to fight back

Despite the failed attempts to sell him, Araújo has publicly stated he will remain at Camp Nou:
“I’m very happy. I’ll definitely stay. They haven’t seen the best Ronald yet, and he’s the one who’ll arrive in the next few years.”