New Barcelona revelation after Ronald Araujo release clause surprise

Tom Weber

• Updated: 17 Feb 2025 11:31 CST
• 3 min read

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo will be available for €65 million in the summer, but his release clause is only active for 10 days, according to Spanish media.

The Uruguay international was the protagonist of one of the biggest and most unexpected transfer sagas in January. Shortly after returning from his long-term injury, Araujo made headlines when he greenlit a move to Juventus.

The Serie A giants were desperate to reinforce their defence after losing Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal to season-ending injuries and had identified the Barcelona star as an ideal target.

READ MORE: Barcelona given free run at top summer target

Talks between Juventus and Barcelona were already taking place only for Araujo to change his mind and extend his contract in Catalunya after a crucial discussion with sporting director Deco.

However, despite his new deal, it soon became clear that Araujo would still be available in the summer due to a shocking release clause.

New Araujo revelation

After his extension, Spanish media began reporting that his prohibitive €1 billion release clause had been reduced to just €65 million for the summer and €80m for January 2026.

This was done because Barcelona feel that they could still be forced to sell players in the summer to raise funds despite the fact that they appear to have overcome the worst of their financial troubles.

READ MORE: Chelsea ready to make €100m offer for Barcelona superstar

However, Cadena SER now reports that a summer departure of Araujo may not be as likely as initially thought given his cut price. That is because the outlet claims that his clause is only active for the first ten days of the transfer window, giving his suitors a very limited time frame to act.

"We have talked, and he is happy," sporting director Deco recently said of Araujo. "But if in the future, for whatever reason, he needs to change, the door is open for him to tell us and he can leave.

"I don't think that's what he wants. If he did, he wouldn’t have renewed. I believe he wants to stay here for many years."