Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Barcelona will offer a new contract to Manchester United target Ronald Araujo in the coming weeks.
According to a report by Fabrizio Romano on Caught Offside, Ronald Araujo will receive a new contract from Barcelona after the 2023/24 season ends. The 25-year-old is a target for Manchester United heading into the summer transfer window. However, he will likely remain at the Catalan club heading into the 2024/25 campaign.
The Rise and Rise of Ronald Araujo
Ronald Araujo has come leaps and bounds since joining Barcelona from Boston River in August 2018. The Uruguayan international has been a regular for the Blaugrana since 2020 and is now a mainstay at the back for his club and country. Meanwhile, his market value has skyrocketed from €10 million to €70 million.
The 25-year-old has turned out nearly 150 times thus far for Barcelona, chipping in with eight goals and three assists. Meanwhile, Araujo earned a promotion ahead of the 2023/24 season, becoming one of the four captains for Barcelona after the departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
However, Araujo’s progress in the last few years has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Manchester United. These prospective suitors want to take advantage of Barcelona’s crippling financial situation. Meanwhile, the reigning La Liga champions are eager to tie their star defender to a new contract.
Manchester United Want Araujo
Manchester United’s interest in Ronald Araujo is understandable. The Premier League club will likely part ways with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans in the summer transfer window. That will leave Erik ten Hag with Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Victor Lindelof as the only centre-backs in his squad apart from the up-and-coming Willy Kambwala.
So, it behoves Manchester United to scour the market for a centre-back, with Araujo emerging as a viable target. However, the Red Devils face a losing battle in the race to sign the 25-year-old, with Barcelona ready to offer him a new contract after the 2023/24 season ends.
With Araujo uninterested in leaving Barcelona anytime soon, his suitors need to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements. He will soon receive a new contract from the Blaugrana and likely sign the deal ahead of the 2024/25 season.
