Barcelona closing in on first summer signing after major U-turn

Tom Weber

• 14 Feb 2024 18:47 GMT
• 3 min read

Julian Araujo could be like a new signing for Barcelona next season, with the club reportedly open to giving him a second chance.

Formerly one of North America's biggest prospects, Mexico international Julian Araujo's short time as a Barcelona player already looked to be over. Only signed in January 2023 for €4 million from the LA Galaxy, the California-born full-back was said to have left Blaugrana chiefs unconvinced, with some reports going so far as to suggest that he won't ever make it at the club.

Not deemed good enough to feature in Xavi's first team this season, Araujo was loaned to Las Palmas in the summer, and it has been a brilliant experience for him. For the most part, Araujo has been a regular for one of this season's surprise packages in LaLiga. The promoted side currently sit in a comfortable eighth place and the 22-year-old has made 17 appearances in the league so far.

This, it is claimed, has led to something of a rethink at Barcelona and Araujo could be given a second chance at the club in the summer.

Araujo set for Barca stay?

At least that is according to MARCA, which reports that Araujo's good form and Barcelona's perpetual uncertainty over their right-back position have led them to consider the Mexican as a viable option for next season.

Currently, the only out-and-out senior right-backs at the club are Sergi Roberto and Man City loanee Joao Cancelo, who was also used at left-back after Alejandro Balde had been dropped by Xavi late last year. Jules Kounde can also play on the right, though he is more of a central player.

Uncertainty looms over the heads of Roberto, who is out of contract, and Cancelo, who will likely be too expensive to sign permanently, meaning that Araujo could be a part of Barcelona's first team next season, even if presumably only as a backup option.