Juventus is interested in signing Barcelona and Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo.
The 25-year-old, whose contract expires in 2026, has a contract offer on the table from Barcelona and would like to remain at the club, but sources close to the player who are not authorized to speak publicly believe he is worth more than what the La Liga side are offering.
It remains to be seen whether the finances involved make a deal possible this month with Barcelona only interested if a big offer is brought to the table that results in a permanent sale.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is keen to keep Araujo part of his team, but at the executive level there has been an openness to selling him since the summer to raise money and make a huge profit from the player they signed in 2018 for a high fee. to about 5 million euros, and help them work within the limits of their salaries.
Araujo’s hamstring injury in last summer’s Copa America stopped that from happening, and he only returned to action on January 4, playing 90 minutes in Barcelona’s 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Barbastro.
Araujo said after the match against Barbastro: “We are talking with the club about renewing my contract, but I am focused on playing again and getting minutes.” “Will I continue 100% at Barcelona? We are talking with the club.”
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Juventus needs defensive reinforcements in light of the injuries suffered by Bremer and Juan Cabal, which will keep the players out until the end of the season. Despite being unbeaten in Serie A this season, Thiago Motta’s side sit fifth in the table, 12 points behind Napoli at the top. They have drawn five of their last six league matches.
They were interested in signing Fikayo Tomori from Milan, but that has stalled since Milan appointed Sergio Conceicao as their new head coach.
It is unlikely that Barcelona will allow Araujo to leave in the middle of the season, considering that this would disrupt Flick’s plans and mean the loss of an experienced international player, unless it is a permanent deal or a loan with a commitment to buy him in the end.
In the summer, Barcelona plans to sell any player who has a year remaining on his contract and does not want to sign a new deal. Araujo falls into this category, along with Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia. Pedri and Javi, whose deals also expire in 2026, are in talks about an extension and it is understood these discussions are at a more positive stage.
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