Man Utd battle Bayern for 'unreal' €80m target

Cameron Smith

• 15 Jan 2024 12:57 CST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are still interested in signing Barcelona and Uruguay star Ronald Araujo, despite major competition from Bayern Munich.

The Red Devils are desperate to sign at least one new centre-back in 2024 as they prepare for Raphael Varane to potentially leave the club, and Araujo is one of several options.

Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini are both long-term targets, while Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite is also admired.

Back in early December, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo stated that Man Utd were willing to double Araujo’s salary in a bid to convince him to leave Barcelona for Old Trafford.

Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has now confirmed that Ten Hag’s side remain keen on landing Araujo.

“News Ronald Araujo: ManUtd have inquired about the 24 y/o,” he reported on X. “#MUFC informed about transfer fee and contract details.

“They received the same information as Bayern: The transfer package in winter would be over €80 million. And Araujo wants to stay at Barca in winter…

“But: He remains on the list of Man Utd for summer. He remains the top target for Bayern as [Thomas] Tuchel loves the player!”

What has Rio Ferdinand said about Ronald Araujo?

Man Utd’s pursuit of Araujo will please club legend Rio Ferdinand, who is a huge fan of the Uruguay international.

“The boy at Lens [Kevin Danso], there's one there, he's good,” the former defender told Manchester Evening News. “The Uruguayan boy at Barcelona - Araujo. Whether he's gettable or not, I think he's brilliant. He's an unreal centre-half.

“He has every attribute to be perfect for the Premier League. I'd probably say he's the standout, but whether he's gettable or not, I don't know.”

Araujo, 24, currently has two-and-a-half years left on his Barcelona contract and is unlikely to be available for anything less than €80m this year. However, Man Utd and Bayern are both keen, despite the fact he is reportedly happy at Barcelona.

The two clubs may also be in negotiations regarding a move for Matthijs de Ligt as Man Utd are reportedly keen on landing the Dutchman, as per Sky Germany.