In-Demand Barcelona Defender Has Decided To Stay Put: Boost For The Catalans?

In a surprising turn of events, wantaway Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo has now decided to stay put despite strong interest from Juventus. A new round of talks took place on Tuesday in the presence of the club’s sporting director Deco, and according to Mundo Deportivo journalist Fernando Polo, the Catalans will now push for a new deal following the green light from the Uruguayan’s camp.

The 25-year-old La Celeste international had a stop-start spell since being promoted to the first-team set-up. After stints with Rentistas and Boston River back in his homeland, Araujo was initially roped in for the reserves back in the summer of 2018. An impressive form in Segunda División B earned him his senior debut just over a year later.

Although he proved his worth for both the club and the country, persistent fitness problems refrained him from cementing a starting status. Inigo Martínez and the academy graduate Pau Cubarsí paired up in the heart of the backline amid the injury woes of Araujo as well as Andreas Christensen. However, Martinez’s injury in the Super Cup final has handed him an opportunity to reclaim his place in the defensive third.

Why It’s A Major Lift For Barcelona For The Remainder of The Campaign

The Blaugrana are expected to have Christensen back later this week. But the heroics of Araujo against Real Madrid make him the obvious choice for the first-team spot. He replaced Martinez early into the game but maintained resilience and composure even though Barca were a man down for the majority of the second half.

club president Joan Laporta and manager Hansi Flick wanted him to remain at the club, and so did his teammate Robert Lewandowski who was found saying “Ronald, you have to stay” as captured by Movistar+ cameras following their incredible Cup triumph. The veteran Polish ‘number 9’ insisted further: “He’s staying, he’s staying now. New contract.”

Araujo’s current deal at  Barcelona expires in 2026. Yet Bianconeri were prepared to splash €50m to secure his services in Turin. The Catalans were expected to demand more, but his decision to stay has now put all the negotiations to bed.

The news has surfaced as a significant boost to Barca’s quest for the La Liga crown. Reigning champions Los Blancos are struggling with an array of key injuries, whereas the stellar run of league leaders Atletico Madrid should see a perfect ‘three horse’ race for the remaining half of this exciting season.