Barcelona will sign 21-year-old La Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo this year, irrespective of the impending ruling by CAS.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Julian Araujo will be the next right-back signing for Barcelona. The 21-year-old right-back can even arrive at Spotify Camp Nou before the season ends if the CAS rules in favour of the Blaugrana. If not, Barcelona will secure his services in the summer transfer window.
Julian Araujo has gone from strength to strength since making his first-team debut for LA Galaxy. A former trainee of the Barcelona academy in the USA, the Mexican international has been with LA Galaxy for the last half a decade. And he has also established a foothold for Mexico on the international stage.
The 21-year-old has turned out over 100 times for LA Galaxy, chipping in with two goals and 14 assists. A quintessential modern-day full-back, Araujo is a solid performer in the final third. And the player’s progress has captured the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Barcelona.
Barcelona attempted to sign Araujo in the January transfer window as Hector Bellerin closed in on leaving the club. But while Bellerin joined Sporting CP on deadline day, the move for Araujo did not materialise. That is despite the 21-year-old right-back pining for a transfer to Barcelona. And the Blaugrana did close in on signing the youngster in the final hours.
Barcelona want to proceed with Julián Araujo deal in any case — waiting for CAS appeal or completing the signing next summer 🔵🔴🇲🇽 #FCB
Agreement on three year deal with the Mexican RB — also with LA Galaxy after deal signed too late on Deadline Day.
🎥 https://t.co/KqeKsD8R78 pic.twitter.com/1bubtAvCwm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 10, 2023
But a technical glitch meant Barcelona could not complete the transfer by only 18 seconds. The Catalan giants subsequently lodged an appeal with FIFA to help bring the Mexican international to Camp Nou. But the world’s governing body ruled against Barcelona, meaning Araujo remains at LA Galaxy.
The Catalan giants have now appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to help sign Araujo. And while they await the decision from CAS, they have decided that the 21-year-old will be their next right-back signing. Barcelona and LA Galaxy have already agreed to a deal, with the player likely to sign a three-year contract.
If the ruling does not go in their favour, they will sign the LA Galaxy defender in the summer. So it will be interesting to see what CAS decides following the appeal from Barcelona. But it seems likely that Julian Araujo will represent the Catalan outfit sooner or later.
