Barcelona have reportedly submitted a fresh, improved bid to sign LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo on a loan-to-buy deal before the end of the January transfer deadline.
According to MLS and USMNT expert Chris Smith, Barcelona are pushing to sign LA Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo before the transfer window slams shut. The Blaugrana have upped their offer for the 21-year-old after seeing their first bid rejected swiftly by the MLS outfit. The improved proposal will include a loan fee, and the purchase option has now increased to around €3.6 million.
We are approaching the final hours of the January transfer window, and the clock is already ticking. For Barcelona, it has not been a busy window, with the club notably sanctioning the sale of Memphis Depay to Atletico Madrid.
Xavi has already indicated his contentment with the existing group, despite losing Ousmane Dembele to injury. However, the Barcelona manager is looking to bolster his full-back options, both for the short and long term, at Camp Nou.
Hector Bellerin, who is reportedly set to join Sporting CP, and Jordi Alba could be offloaded this summer. So it makes sense for Barcelona to be on the lookout for a player who would challenge Alejandro Balde as Alba’s successor at right-back.
Source: #Barcelona have submitted a 2nd bid for #LAGalaxy right-back Julian Araujo that includes a loan fee
The Barca B affiliation is for registration purposes only, and to help the club navigate some transfer limitations, I'm told. He's considered a 1st team option
$4m price https://t.co/d2D212Jpd7 pic.twitter.com/EE6MWssoaG
— Chris Smith (@CJSmith91) January 31, 2023
As such, Barcelona have been tracking LA Galaxy star Julian Araujo for some time now. And they appear to have stepped up their pursuit of the 21-year-old as they look to replace outgoing right-back Bellerin on the final day of the January transfer window.
Araujo, a product of the Barcelona academy in the United States, joined LA Galaxy’s youth setup in 2018 and made his professional debut in the MLS in 2019. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting full-backs in the MLS thanks to his speed and athleticism, coupled with his offensive potency, having notched up 14 assists for the club.
The Blaugrana have been negotiating a loan deal until the end of the season for the 21-year-old, with a summer buy option included. However, it appears Barcelona’s opening bid has fallen short of the MLS outfit’s valuation. Galaxy want to keep him around for a little while longer. But the player himself is strongly pushing his parent club to sanction his move to Spotify Camp Nou.
As things stand, Barcelona have now returned with a better offer, including a loan fee and a higher purchase option, for the youngster. And it remains to be seen whether LA Galaxy accept the new proposal. But there is optimism that the Catalans will wrap this one up before the deadline.
