According to Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona are ready to cash in on Ronald Araujo but the La Liga side are demanding a staggering €100 million for the defender.
Araujo is one of Barcelona’s most important players but that also makes him one of the most valuable assets in the squad. And the fact that Barca are in need of funds, the club has decided to offload key players like Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha.
Barca have a couple of other centre-backs in their squad like Jules Kounde, Christensen and young Pau Cubarsi which is why Xavi feels he can take the risk of selling Ronald Araujo.
Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea have registered an interest in the 25-year-old because Thiago Silva is going to leave Chelsea at the end of this season and Raphael Varane has also announced his departure from United so both these clubs will have to bring in proper replacements.
However, these two English sides will have a major fight on their hands because currently, it’s Bayern Munich who are the frontrunners in landing Ronald Araujo during the summer window.
Should clubs be willing to pay €100 million for a player like Ronald Araujo?
Araujo’s contract with Barcelona expires in 2026 and his current market value is €70 million so the Catalans are very much within their rights to ask for €100 million for the 25-year-old.
And with the kind of performances that the defender has put in, it’s safe to say that €100 million is not a very unfair ask.
He made his senior debut for Barcelona in 2019 and since then played in 149 games across all competitions. In his first two seasons, he was still finding his feet but over the last three years, Ronald Araujo has been an ever-present figure in the backline.
This season, he has featured in 36 games and he has managed to win over 80% of his tackles along with 72% of his aerial battles. The South American centre-back has also made as many as 100 recovery runs and he’s been dribbled past just five times.
Even though he is not brilliant with the ball at his feet, he likes to defend on the front foot and is a proper leader who constantly marshals the backline.
Ronaldo Koeman who gave Ronald Araujo his debut once said: “He is proving to be a brave boy. He’s physically very strong and has a great future ahead of him. Hopefully, he will continue with the number four for many years.”
A number like €100 million is sure to turn a lot of heads but it won’t be a major gamble if clubs are spending it on someone like Araujo. Having said that, Manchester United and Chelsea have the resources to pay such a steep price but we are highly doubtful if Bayern Munich will want to shed that kind of money.
