Arsenal ready to HIJACK major transfer for Barcelona star

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 11 Jan 2025 06:48 CST
• 3 min read

Arsenal could be set to hijack a big money transfer this January after reports that they may look to sign a superstar from Barcelona in the coming days.

The Gunners are keen to avoid losing momentum in their push for a Premier League title, having seen injuries to key stars such as Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri in recent weeks.

However, while the focus seems to be on Arsenal’s diminishing depth and quality in attack, Mikel Arteta could look to strengthen his defence during the transfer window.

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Arsenal have kept just four clean sheets in their last 14 games and a report from Spanish outlet MARCA has claimed that an offer could be imminent for Ronald Araujo, who looks set to leave Barcelona this month.

Araujo has been the subject of an approach from Juventus and Barcelona are open to the sale of a player whose contract expires in 18 months, although they are hoping for interest from other clubs in order to raise his transfer fee.

Juventus are understood to have offered €35 million for the Uruguay international but could raise their offer to €50m, with Barcelona are holding out for closer to €70m, leading to dialogue between the Catalans and Arsenal over a potential deal.

Will Arsenal make a move for Araujo?

Arsenal signing a defender this winter would certainly raise eyebrows, especially with the club operating under tight constraints with PSR and still having ambitions to strengthen in attack.

The pursuit of a striker is expected to be one of Arteta’s biggest priorities but the majority of the club’s major targets are likely to only be available in the summer.

Consequently, Arsenal are expecting to save their resources in until the summer unless an opportunity arises that is too good to pass up, which may give credit to the rumours surrounding Araujo.

Current ETV

Ronald Araújo

D (C)

Barcelona

Ronald Araújo

D (C)

Barcelona

€49.3M

ETV Range

€37M - €61.6M

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Barcelona are keen to raise funds and, while their price tag remains high for now, the La Liga giants will likely consider lower offers in order to get Araujo’s salary off the books, particularly with the 25-year-old reportedly keen to leave.

Arsenal are not in immediate need of a top level defender, having already spent big money on their backline in recent windows and with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu soon to return to fitness.

But the availability of a long-term target in Araujo may prove tempting, particularly at a below-market price, although anything close to Barca’s €70m valuation will undoubtedly be unrealistic.