Ronald Araújo has agreed to a contract extension with Barcelona, committing to the club until June 2031.
The announcement, expected imminently, comes after months of speculation linking the Uruguayan centre-back to Arsenal and Juventus, however, sources suggest this saga may not be entirely resolved, as the deal reportedly includes an agreement to revisit Araújo’s future this summer.
This development marks the latest chapter in a long-running story where Araújo’s name has repeatedly been tied to Arsenal. Reports from March 2022 first linked the 24-year-old to the Gunners, with rumours resurfacing throughout 2024.
Last summer, Arsenal’s interest in Jules Koundé highlighted the club’s ongoing search for defensive reinforcements, which reportedly included monitoring Araújo’s situation at Barcelona.
Earlier this month, speculation intensified. On January 17, AS reported that Araújo’s agents had left the door open for a summer move despite the new agreement.
The defender, who is not currently among Barcelona’s top 10 earners, is said to feel undervalued compared to teammates like Pedri and Gavi, whose renewals were expedited.
With Lamine Yamal also in line for a significant new contract, Araújo reportedly sought reassurances about his future role and salary within the squad hierarchy.
With the Premier League reportedly appealing to Araújo, the links to Arsenal were plausible but ultimately speculative, especially as Arsenal appear more focused on securing forward options during the January transfer window.
Despite Araújo’s new deal, Barcelona and his representatives have agreed to reassess his situation in July. Clubs like Juventus and Arsenal may monitor his availability again. For now, Barcelona has secured one of their key defensive assets, but the long-term future of the player remains uncertain.
This saga raises questions about how player negotiations evolve when clubs leverage external interest to secure better terms. Arsenal, once again, may have been used as a bargaining tool to enhance a player’s value.