Manchester United and Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, with the Catalan club willing to sell the 25-year-old due to financial constraints. Araujo has been a key player for Barcelona since his debut in the 2019/20 season and has made nearly 150 appearances for the club. However, following Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, where Araujo received a red card, the club is willing to listen to offers for the defender. Araujo is no longer considered an ‘untouchable’ player, and both Manchester United and Bayern Munich are keen on acquiring his services.
Barcelona views Araujo as one of their most saleable assets and believes they could fetch over €100 million for the defender, given the interest from top clubs like Manchester United and Bayern Munich. The club has identified 17-year-old prospect Pau Cubarsi as a potential replacement for Araujo, should he depart this summer. Araujo’s red card in the crucial Champions League match against PSG has raised doubts about his future at Barcelona. After his expulsion for a foul during the match, Araujo faced criticism from teammate Ilkay Gundogan, who suggested that the defender should have made a different decision in the situation.
In response to Gundogan’s comments, Araujo maintained his silence and chose to keep his thoughts to himself, expressing his values and principles that he believes are important to uphold. Both Manchester United and Bayern Munich are leading the race to sign the talented defender, with Barcelona potentially looking to offload him to alleviate their financial burdens. Araujo’s performances have caught the attention of European giants, and a bidding war between the clubs could drive his transfer fee even higher. Barcelona’s recent struggles in the Champions League, combined with Araujo’s inconsistent form, have led to speculation about his future at the club.
Despite Araujo’s potential departure, Barcelona remains confident in their defensive options and believes they have adequate cover, especially with the emergence of young talent like Pau Cubarsi. The club is prepared to listen to offers for Araujo and could use the funds generated from his sale to strengthen other areas of the squad or invest in new signings. As Araujo considers his future and weighs his options, the interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich presents an enticing opportunity for the defender to play in top European leagues and showcase his talent on a bigger stage. The decision to part ways with Araujo would mark a significant transition for Barcelona and could signal the start of a new era for the club.
