Barcelona’s travails in the bid to sign Julian Araujo have ended, with the 21-year-old set to arrive at Spotify Camp Nou soon.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Julian Araijo is on the verge of joining Barcelona. The 21-year-old right-back will travel to Spain on Thursday to complete his medical checks. And he will sign a three-and-a-half-year contract until June 30, 2026, with the Blaugrana.
Julian Araujo is one of the most highly-rated young full-backs in North America, making his mark for LA Galaxy. The Mexican international is a former trainee of Barcelona’s academy in the USA. And he has also been forging his identity on the international stage with El Tri.
The 21-year-old has turned out over 100 times for LA Galaxy, chipping in with two goals and 14 assists. The youngster’s progress at LA Galaxy has not gone unnoticed either, with several high-profile clubs, including Barcelona, setting their sights on him.
Barcelona first showed interest in Araujo towards the end of the summer transfer window after they failed to sign Juan Foyth. They came back for the 21-year-old as the January transfer window inched closer to shutting down. And discussions with LA Galaxy seemed to be progressing well.
Julián Araujo to Barcelona, here we go! Mexican right back will travel tomorrow to Barcelona — deal finally done after crazy Deadline Day saga. 🚨🔵🔴🇲🇽 #FCB
Araujo will sign a contract until June 2026, deal agreed with LA Galaxy for bit less than €4m total package. It’s done. pic.twitter.com/iA2JhMNRKn
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 15, 2023
Reports even suggested that the Catalan giants were closing in on signing the Mexican international ahead of the transfer deadline. But delayed paperwork scuppered the move in the eleventh hour, with Barcelona being late by 18 minutes. However, the Blaugrana swiftly approached FIFA to help formalise the deal.
FIFA rejected Barcelona’s appeal, forcing them to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a resolution. Reports then claimed Araujo would be Barcelona’s right-back signing in 2023, no matter what. And it seems CAS has ruled in favour of the Blaugrana, who will soon complete the deal.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Araujo is travelling to Spain to complete his move to Barcelona. The 21-year-old right-back will sign a three-and-a-half-year contract until June 30, 2024. And the deal will set Barcelona back by less than €4 million. With that, the Catalan giants’ travails have finally ended, with Araujo set to bolster their squad in the coming hours.
