Chelsea may launch a bid to sign 26-year-old Uruguayan international Ronald Araujo from Barcelona next summer if the Catalan club’s financial woes continue.
According to a report by Football Insider, Ronald Araujo is the subject of interest of Chelsea. The Blues are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a centre-back next year. So, the 26-year-old Barcelona defender has emerged as a target for the West London club.
However, the 2024/25 FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League winners face stiff competition from Liverpool for his signature. Meanwhile, Chelsea may launch a bid to sign the South American defender if Barcelona’s financial struggles have not eased by next summer.
Ronald Araujo and his career so far
Ronald Araujo has endured a topsy-turvy ride since breaking into the first-team squad at FC Barcelona. The 26-year-old became a regular for the senior team nearly half a decade ago, and he has made nearly 200 appearances thus far for Barcelona while chipping in with 11 goals and seven assists.
However, the Uruguayan international has been in and out of the starting lineup under Hansi Flick, with his stock falling in the last 15 months due to lingering fitness issues. Nevertheless, he remains a hot property in the market. Premier League bigwigs, in particular, are keen on signing the Barcelona vice-captain, with Chelsea and Liverpool among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
Premier League adventure beckons?
Liverpool’s interest in Ronald Araujo makes sense. The Reds are scouring the market for a centre-back this summer amid uncertainties surrounding Ibrahima Konate’s long-term future after entering the final 12 months of his contract. Additionally, Virgil van Dijk is approaching the twilight of his career, and Joe Gomez has struggled with fitness issues throughout his spell with Liverpool. So, the Barcelona defender is a viable target for the Merseyside club.
As for Chelsea, the Blues hold a long-standing interest in Araujo. With Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, the West London club can do with a new centre-back next year. So, the Barcelona defender is an option worth considering, with Chelsea ready to launch a bid if the Catalan club’s financial struggles continue.
Araujo may be an expendable player for Barcelona, considering Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Andreas Christensen are ahead of him in the pecking order. It will be interesting to see if the 26-year-old Uruguayan international moves to the Premier League in the coming months.