Premier League heavyweights Chelsea are reportedly ready to pay a big-money sum to sign Ronald Araujo from Barcelona.
According to a report by SPORT, as relayed by Sport Witness, Ronald Araujo is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are keen on signing a centre-back in the summer transfer window, with the Barcelona defensive mainstay emerging as a viable target. And they are ready to break the bank to secure the services of the 25-year-old defender.
How has Ronald Araujo fared for Barcelona?
Ronald Araujo is one of the best defenders in the world, coming leaps and bounds since joining Barcelona from Boston River. A mainstay at the back for his club and country, the Uruguayan international is a versatile defender and can also play as a right-back.
Meanwhile, Araujo’s stature has risen so much that he has become one of the vice-captains at the Catalan club this season. The 25-year-old has turned out 150 times thus far for Barcelona, chipping in with eight goals and five assists. However, his long-term future is uncertain due to Barcelona’s never-ending financial issues.
Recent reports have claimed that Araujo’s suitors can offer him more money than Barcelona, with the Blaugrana struggling to tie him to a new contract. The latest update has revealed that Chelsea will be willing to break the bank to secure the defender’s services. Considering his market value is €70 million, the player will likely cost more than that sum.
London calls?
Chelsea’s interest in Ronald Araujo is understandable. The Blues are parting ways with Thiago Silva as a free agent in the summer transfer window, with the veteran Brazilian playing his final game for the West London club. So, it behoves Chelsea to invest in a world-class centre-back in the coming weeks.
Araujo has thus emerged as a viable target for Chelsea. The report by SPORT (h/t Sport Witness) has revealed that the Blues are ready to pay “a lot of money” to secure the Uruguayan defender’s services in the summer transfer window.
On the other hand, Barcelona’s confidence in keeping hold of Araujo is waning. So, we might see the 25-year-old defensive mainstay embark on a new adventure in the summer transfer window amid his links with Chelsea.
