Chelsea and Manchester United are both interested in the services of 25-year-old Barcelona mainstay Ronald Araujo.
According to a report by TBR Football, Chelsea and Manchester United are both keen on reinforcing their defence ahead of next season and have their eyes set on Ronald Araujo. They have established contact as they look to sign the 25-year-old centre-back.
Ronald Araujo’s time at Barcelona
Araujo joined Barcelona back in the summer of 2018. He came up the ranks and got promoted to their first team back in 2020. The 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength over the years and has established himself as one of the mainstays in their team.
He has been an integral part of their first team, and Xavi, who has decided to continue at the Spanish club, is keen on having the Uruguayan international at his disposal. But, with his contract running out in the summer of 2026, there is a bit of uncertainty in his future.
The Spanish club have already initiated contract renewal talks with his agents. While Xavi and the Barcelona president are both keen on extending the 25-year-old’s stay at the club, there are people at the club who believe selling Araujo could be a sensible course of action, and it has resulted in interest from across Europe.
Chelsea and Manchester United keen on Araujo
Chelsea and Manchester United are two English clubs keen on having him in their ranks. The Red Devils have struggled at the back because of injuries to key defenders, and they are looking to make major changes in that part of the pitch.
A few of their senior players are expected to leave the club in the summer, and they are looking for players who can help revive them. Araujo thus fits the bill for Manchester United. Meanwhile, Thiago Silva is all set to leave Chelsea in the summer. They need someone capable enough to fill those big boots, and the Barcelona centre-back is surely capable enough to do that.
Both English giants have asked to be kept informed about the player’s situation. They have spoken to intermediaries about Araujo. If his contract renewal talks with Barcelona do not go according to plan, Chelsea and Manchester United will enter the race for the services of the 25-year-old.
