Barcelona could lose 'one of world's best' for FREE

Tom Hancock

• 13 Apr 2023 15:04 BST
• 3 min read

Xavi recently described him as one of the world’s best defenders, but Barcelona could lose Ronald Araujo for nothing this summer.

The 24-year-old centre-back signed a new four-year deal at the Camp Nou this time last year, but Barca’s enduring financial difficulties have left them unable to register him as a first-team player.

As things stand, Araujo – who our Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model rates at €40m – is still playing under the terms of the Barcelona Atletic (reserve team) contract he signed upon joining from Uruguayan outfit Boston River back in 2018.

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It rather goes without saying that Barcelona will be desperate to keep hold of Araujo, who has been a rock at the back for the La Liga leaders this term.

Speaking after last month’s Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg win over Real Madrid, Xavi heaped praise upon Araujo.

“For me, Araujo is one of the best defenders in the world,” the Barca boss said, having moved his star centre-half to right-back in order to man-mark Vinicius Junior – who himself lauded Araujo as “the best defender I have ever faced”.

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Gavi's get-out clause

Concerningly for Barcelona, Araujo – who has won 12 caps for Uruguay isn’t the only star they risk seeing depart for nothing this off-season: Gavi is in the same situation.

Like Araujo, the 18-year-old signed a new deal last year to theoretically keep him at the Camp Nou until 2026 – but, just as in Araujo’s case, the Spain international continues to play under his Barca Atletic contract.

Gavi’s extension included a clause allowing him to leave as a free agent if he has not been registered as a first-team player by June 30, 2023.