Man Utd 'ready to enter talks' with €100m superstar

Cameron Smith

29 Apr 2024 11:20 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Manchester United are ready to accelerate their pursuit of Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, according to reports.

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The 25-year-old has emerged as a key transfer target for the Red Devils and they are set to initiate talks with his agent ahead of a possible summer move.

Araujo is reportedly keen to stay at Barcelona, but the Blaugrana’s precarious financial position means they are seemingly willing to listen to offers for their star players.

According to CaughtOffside, Man Utd are now set to contact Araujo’s representatives and discuss the possibility of a summer switch to Old Trafford.

Barcelona would reportedly consider a sale if Erik ten Hag’s side lodge an offer in the region of €100 million. Araujo would become the world’s most expensive defender if Man Utd pay that fee, exceeding the €90m spent on Josko Gvardiol by Manchester City last summer.

Reports from Spain recently revealed that Barcelona are aware Araujo is their most valuable asset and they are therefore open to the idea of selling the Uruguay international in a bid to raise funds amid their current financial woes.

Ronald Araujo to Man Utd?

© IMAGO - Man Utd are interested in Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo

Signing a new centre-back is one of Man Utd’s priorities for the upcoming summer transfer window as they prepare for Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans to depart the club.

Both players are highly likely to leave Old Trafford, while Victor Lindelof also faces an uncertain future under Ten Hag.

Harry Maguire has played his way back into favour in recent weeks, and is now likely to stay, but Lisandro Martinez’s injury problems mean at least one new centre-back is needed.

FootballTransfers understands that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is currently at the top of Man Utd’s transfer wish-list, although the Red Devils are also keen on the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo, Edmond Tapsoba, Gleison Bremer and Araujo.