- 23 hours ago
Barcelona get GREAT NEWS over ‘best in world’ transfer
Robin Bairner
- 15 Jan 2025 10:30 GMT
- 3 min read
Barcelona have forced Juventus to throw the towel in during their transfer negotiations over Ronald Araujo, concluding a major U-turn over the future of the Uruguay international defender.
Juventus had earmarked the 25-year-old as a potential January recruit to solve their defensive crisis and the deal looked very close to getting over the line, yet now Sport reports that the transfer is virtually dead.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has informed the player of the club’s decision not to allow him to depart at this point, and Araujo will therefore remain with the Camp Nou outfit until the summer.
READ MORE: Lionel Messi opens door to Barcelona return after Inter Miami decision
STATS
Ronald Araújo
D (C)
Barcelona
Ronald Araújo
D (C)
Barcelona
A deal could still be possible once the season is over, however, with Araujo’s contract set to expire in 2026. If no new deal is agreed by June, the door will once again be open for the centre-back to leave.
Araujo has played only two matches for Barca this season, with a hamstring injury decimating his campaign to date.
Indeed, the major concern that the Blaugrana have over the South American talent is over his body, which has constantly broken down in recent years.
CONFIRMED: Rashford sets deadline for Barcelona transfer
Previously, he was so highly thought of among the staff at Camp Nou that former head coach Xavi once declared that he was the best centre-back in the world.
Araujo’s star might have fallen since then, but he was symbolically made captain by Hansi Flick on his return to action against UD Barbastro in the Copa del Rey, while he also managed an hour in the spectacular 5-2 Supercopa win over Real Madrid on Sunday.
Araujo to Juventus: The story of a broken deal
Juventus first approached Araujo over the prospect of moving to the Serie A club at the beginning of January. Initially, the hope was to land him on a loan deal that carried a purchase option.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have held fast that they would only sell if a huge bid was made that would lead to a definite sale. Araujo had a price tag of €60 million put round his neck, though this is not too far from his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €49.3m.
Current ETV
Ronald Araújo
D (C)
Barcelona
Ronald Araújo
D (C)
Barcelona
ETV Range
€37M - €61.6M
What happens next for the player is unclear. There will be talks over a new contract, but while Araujo is set to start the next few matches due to an injury to Inigo Martinez, Flick is planning to field his most in-form option during the crucial games of the season.
A further complicating factor is Barcelona’s imminent signing of Jonathan Tah on a free transfer, with the Bayer Leverkusen star to join the club in July.
