Arsenal are reportedly pursuing Ronald Araújo, Barcelona’s standout defender, as the Uruguayan’s unresolved contract situation opens the door for a major transfer.
Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on Ronald Araújo, the Barcelona centre-back, with Diario La Prensa claiming they are “all in” in a bid to reinforce their defensive ranks.
Mundo Deportivo, meanwhile, report that the player has told teammates he is considering leaving the club with Arsenal wanting to sign him in the January window.
Valued at €55m and widely regarded as one of the most promising defenders in Europe, the Uruguayan international’s future at Camp Nou is uncertain, with his contract set to expire in 2026. His release clause is set at a ridiculous €1billion. Yes. Billion.
Despite being linked to Manchester United last summer, Araújo had signalled a willingness to extend his stay at Barcelona under the right financial conditions. However, a new deal has so far failed to materialise, leaving Arsenal reportedly poised to make a move.
The Gunners, who are grappling with defensive injuries and squad depth issues, view Araújo as a transformative addition.
This season, Araújo has only featured once for Barcelona due to a serious hamstring injury that kept him out of action for seven months. He played a full 90 minutes in a Copa del Rey victory over UD Barbastro, where he contributed an assist in their 4-0 win.
Despite limited appearances, Araújo remains an important asset for Barcelona, making a potential transfer a tantalising prospect for Arsenal. It is believed that he does not see a regular playing future at Barcelona and, if he was promised minutes, could be tempted to leave this month.
How Arsenal do that, however, with William Saliba and Gabriel already nailed on starters, is anyone’s guess.