Liverpool Are Eyeing A Move For This Barcelona Defender: What Will He Bring To Anfield?

In a recent report, Fichajes stated that Liverpool are eyeing a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo next year. It has been claimed that the Reds have identified the Uruguayan centre-back as a target.

Araujo’s Important Role At Barcelona Last Season

Araujo served as a useful squad player for the Catalan club in the previous campaign but missed a lot of key games for them due to a hamstring injury. The Uruguay international found the back of the net twice and earned two assists in 25 appearances for Barcelona last season across all competitions.

The 26-year-old deserves some credit for making 12 tackles, six blocks, nine interceptions and 25 clearances in La Liga. He was even accurate with his ball distribution after completing 91.9% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Spanish football (stats via fbref.com).

His current contract at the Nou Camp will expire in the summer of 2031, which could make it difficult for the Reds to land him on a cut-price deal in this transfer period.

What Will Araujo Bring To Liverpool?

Araujo loves a tackle and can sense the danger well to earn the ball back for his team on the defensive end of the pitch. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the front foot and excels at playing his way out from the back.

Standing at 1.92m, the Uruguay international is a strong presence in the air as well. However, it remains to be seen whether he can cope with the high intensity of the Premier League if Liverpool manage to bring him on board next year.

Araujo would bring a lot of bite and steel to Arne Slot’s defence. He is good enough to serve as an ideal back-up to Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk at the Merseyside club. Furthermore, the Uruguay international could help Liverpool compete for some major honours over the next few years.

At 26, Araujo has his best years ahead of him, which makes him a worthy target for the Reds to pursue this January or at the end of this campaign. However, Slot needs to give him some time to settle into life at the Merseyside club before he can get the best out of the player.