Manchester United could reportedly offer €30 million to sign Ronald Araujo from Barcelona in next summer’s transfer window.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Ronald Araujo has emerged as a key target for Manchester United heading into next summer’s transfer window. The Premier League heavyweights are ready to offer €30 million to snap up the Barcelona defender.
Ronald Araujo joined Barcelona from Boston River in August 2018 and has since come leaps and bounds. While the Uruguayan defender was eased into the first-team setup at Camp Nou, he has taken no time to establish himself as the most reliable defender for the Blaugrana.
To date, the 22-year-old has made 58 appearances for Barcelona, chipping in with four goals and one assist in the process. The youngster’s progress has helped him break into the Uruguayan national side. At the same time, Araujo has captured the attention of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Manchester United.
The interest from Manchester United might be surprising on the surface, but it does make a world of sense. That is because Harry Maguire has blown hot and cold at an alarming level this season, while Raphael Varane’s fitness issues have left him on the sidelines more often than he has played for the club.
That leaves Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly as the only other recognised centre-backs in Manchester United’s first-team squad. And with Bailly linked with a possible exit from Old Trafford, Manchester United could be forced to enter the market for a centre-back next summer. To that end, Barcelona defender Araujo is a viable target for the club.
The Premier League heavyweights are prepared to step up their efforts to sign the Uruguayan centre-back by tabling an offer worth €30 million. They are also ready to offer him a bumper €8 million-a-year contract to prise him away from Barcelona. However, Manchester United will need to fend off intense competition from Chelsea and other clubs in the race to sign Araujo.
The Red Devils have no shortage of targets, though, with Matthijs de Ligt recently popping up on their radar again. As far as the pursuit of Araujo is concerned, it remains to be seen if Manchester United can secure the services of the Barcelona defender with their lucrative offer.
