Barcelona will reportedly open talks over a contract extension with 24-year-old defensive mainstay Ronald Araujo next year.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Ronald Araujo remains a pivotal figure for Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions view him as the future long-term captain. And they are ready to reward the 24-year-old defensive mainstay with a contract extension reflecting his status in the squad.
Ronald Araujo has come leaps and bounds since joining Barcelona from Boston River half a decade ago. The Uruguayan international had spent most of his formative years in his homeland before completing his education at the Catalan outfit. And he has not looked back since breaking into the first-team squad at the club.
The 24-year-old made his first-team debut for Barcelona in October 2019, coming off the bench to replace Jean-Clair Todibo. While Araujo had to bide his time to become a mainstay at the back, he finally received regular game in the 2020/21 season. Since then, he has established himself as a pivotal figure for the Blaugrana.
The player is now one of the best defenders in the world and played his part as Barcelona returned to the summit of La Liga last season. Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets’s departure has elevated Araujo’s status, as he has become one of the club captains, with Sergi Roberto leading the charge.
So, Araujo is in line to become the first captain for Barcelona in a few years, with the Catalan club envisioning a bright future for him. But the 24-year-old mainstay, who has made 122 appearances thus far for Barcelona, signed a new contract in April 2022, taking a pay cut to commit his future to the Blaugrana.
The Catalan giants now want to reward him with a new contract that reflects his status in the team. In addition, they also want to ward off prospective suitors, with Manchester United recently showing interest in him. The report has also revealed that Araujo snubbed Liverpool and Chelsea when he signed his new Barcelona contract.
It is unclear if Araujo will get a big hike when he pens his new contract with Barcelona. But talks over an extension will only begin next year, with the Blaugrana not worried about an approach from a suitor yet.
