La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on 21-year-old Mexican right-back Julian Araujo over a deadline-day move.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Julian Araujo is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible deadline-day move before the summer transfer window shuts down. The Mexican right-back has emerged as an alternative to Thomas Meunier and Hector Bellerin.
Julian Araujo was born and brought up in the USA but chose to represent Mexico on the international stage after playing for his birth nation in his youth career. The 21-year-old joined LA Galaxy during his final formative years before making his first-team debut for the Major League Soccer outfit in 2019.
The Mexican right-back has gone from strength to strength in the last three years, turning out 100 times for LA Galaxy while chipping in with one goal and 12 assists. And Araujo’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, with several European bigwigs, including Barcelona, setting their sights on him.
The Catalan giants have enjoyed a successful summer transfer window thus far, bolstering their first-team squad considerably. But Barcelona also wanted to reinforce the full-back slots this summer, which has not materialised thus far. While Marcos Alonso is closing in on joining Barcelona, the right-back spot remains unaddressed.
Barcelona are considering multiple options for the new right back with Dest set to leave — been told LA Galaxy RB Julián Araujo has been discussed alongside other options. ??? #FCB
Meunier, complicated. Bellerín still waiting for Barça. Decision to be made tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/DlnBFAcMFr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2022
With Sergino Dest reportedly closing in on joining AC Milan on a season-long loan deal and Dani Alves departing from Camp Nou in July, Barcelona’s right-back options are bare. Xavi Hernandez has utilised Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde on the flank, but that option is not sustainable over a long season.
Barcelona thus wanted to sign Cesar Azpilicueta this summer before the Chelsea captain signed a new contract with the west London club. Thomas Meunier has since emerged as an alternative, but Borussia Dortmund might not offload the Belgian right-back. Araujo is, therefore, an option worth considering for Barcelona.
The 21-year-old right-back has the qualities to settle into Xavi’s system while being defensively solid. And with the Mexican international’s best years ahead of him, he can be a long-term right-back solution for Barcelona. But it will be interesting to see if a late move for Araujo sees the light of day.
