Liverpool are reportedly prepared to offer Ronald Araujo a contract worth €6 million per year to sign Ronald Araujo from Barcelona.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Liverpool are reportedly stepping up their efforts to sign Ronald Araujo in next summer’s transfer window. The Reds are ready to double the contract offer that Barcelona might present to the Uruguayan defender, with a €6 million-a-year deal likely to be proposed.
Ronald Araujo joined Barcelona from Boston River in August 2018 and has since come leaps and bounds. A player who does not even earn an annual salary worth €1 million at Camp Nou, the 22-year-old, is arguably the best defender for the Blaugrana and could be the natural successor to Gerard Pique.
To date, the Uruguayan international has featured 53 times for Barcelona, chipping in with three goals and one assist in the process. However, the Catalan giants are in a precarious position over his long-term future, with a little over a year left on his current deal. And there is no shortage of suitors in pursuit of Araujo, with Liverpool among his suitors.
The interest from Liverpool and other Premier League clubs is interesting. As far as the Reds are concerned, they have plenty of centre-backs in the first-team setup, especially following the arrival of Ibrahima Konate in the summer transfer window.
However, Joel Matip is into his thirties and has been plagued by fitness issues in the last two years. In addition, there is uncertainty surrounding the future of Joe Gomez, who has recently been linked with a loan move to Aston Villa, with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard keen on signing him.
Also, question marks are popping up over the future of Nathaniel Phillips, who is on West Ham United’s radar. So, it is understandable why Liverpool might want to sign Araujo, who could be the long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk. However, Barcelona are determined to keep hold of their prized defender and are looking to tie him down to a new contract.
But Liverpool could trump Barcelona as they could double the wages that might be on offer from the Blaugrana, as they are willing to hand him a contract worth €6 million per year. In addition, the Liverpool project could also attract Araujo, considering his parent club is struggling to mount a top-four challenge, let alone contest for the La Liga title.
So, it looks like Barcelona could have a major battle on their hands to secure Araujo’s long-term future. Hence, it remains to be seen if Liverpool can swoop the 22-year-old away from Camp Nou in the summer transfer window next year or if he stays put in Catalonia.
