Barcelona could reportedly battle Liverpool and Manchester City in the race to sign Henrique Araujo, although a summer move is unlikely.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Benfica prodigy Henrique Araujo is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old striker is also a target for Liverpool and Manchester City, but the Portuguese giants do not want to sell the youngster.
Henrique Araujo is widely regarded as one of the most promising young strikers in Portugal. The young forward has made massive strides in the youth setup at Benfica in recent years while earning his first-team bow in the ongoing campaign, making five appearances for the senior side.
The 20-year-old has a solid tally of 17 goals and five assists in 33 appearances in all competitions, including a hat-trick in the UEFA Youth League final against Red Bull Salzburg last month. Araujo’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, with some of the most high profile clubs in Europe, including Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester City, setting their sights on him.
Barcelona will delve into the market for a striker in the summer transfer window, although Xavi Hernandez is seeking an immediate solution rather than someone he can groom. But with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang showcasing his credentials to be the first-choice centre-forward next season, Araujo could be a viable target for Barcelona, especially with a summer transfer for Robert Lewandowski appearing dicey.
As for Liverpool, Divock Origi’s impending Bosman move to AC Milan will prompt the Reds to enter the market for a replacement. To that end, Araujo is an option worth considering for Liverpool, as he might eventually take over from Roberto Firmino when the Brazilian calls it quits at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will likely sign Erling Haaland in the summer transfer window. But amid widespread speculation linking Gabriel Jesus with a summer exit from the Etihad, Araujo could be a viable candidate to replace the Brazilian. Interestingly, Jesus is on Barcelona’s radar over a summer transfer.
Also Read: Three Erling Haaland alternatives for Barcelona
But Benfica will not entertain any offers for Araujo, which is understandable, considering Darwin Nunez will likely depart from Estadio da Luz in the summer. Barcelona might not have made a move either, considering Araujo would have had a steep price tag. As for Liverpool and Manchester City, the English duo will need to set sights on alternatives to bolster their attacking units.
