Chelsea hijack Man Utd for error-prone star

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 14 May 2024 12:04 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are attempting to hijack Manchester United’s move for Ronald Araujo and have joined the race to sign the Barcelona defender.

The Blues are in the market for a top central defender this summer to replace Brazil legend Thiago Silva, who has announced his departure on a free transfer in order to return to Fluminense.

And Fichajes reports that Chelsea are now trying to sign Araujo, who has gained a reputation as one of the best defenders in La Liga - albeit an error-prone one at times.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

The news comes as a blow to Man Utd, who had been confident of making a deal with Barcelona for Araujo.

United will sign at least one centre back this summer as a number of stoppers are set to leave. Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans see their contracts expire, while the futures of Victor Lindelof and Maguire are at risk.

Barcelona will listen to offers for Araujo this summer.

The reason for this is a need to raise cash, as well as his disastrous mistake in the Champions League quarter final against PSG.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

Leading 3-1 on aggregate and 1-0 at home in the second leg, Araujo clumsily got himself sent off and PSG came back to win 4-1 on the night and go through.

Araujo has been heavily criticised since and Barcelona are now ready to sell him if the right offer comes in.

Sport adds that Barcelona believe they can raise over €80 million through a sale, which will go a long way to helping pay off the debts amidst the Blaugrana’s well-publicised financial problems of the last few years.

Bayern Munich have also been linked with Araujo in recent weeks.

Araujo buyout clause

Araujo has a contract at Barcelona until 2026, with a buyout clause inserted into his deal worth a staggering €1 billion.

The 25-year-old Uruguay international has established himself as a regular at Camp Nou, featuring on 149 occasions for the first team since arriving from Boston River in 2020.

However, he has also been hit by a number of injuries during his time at Barca.

Araujo has won one La Liga, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de Espana during his time at Barcelona.

He has been capped 16 times by the Uruguay national team and he travelled to the 2022 World Cup but did not play due to injury.