Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has reportedly agreed to a new contract with the Catalans, rebuffing advances from Arsenal and Juventus, who had both shown strong interest in signing him move for the Uruguayan.
Araujo spent the first six months of the season recovering from a serious hamstring injury. Shortly after his long-awaited return to the Copa del Rey in early January, it was revealed that the 25-year-old had “agreed” a loan deal with Juventus – much to the shock of the Barcelona players.
Arsenal soon expressed their interest in the towering defender, who was reportedly keen to leave Catalonia after six-and-a-half years in Spain. The Uruguayan international reportedly favored the Premier League club but was the subject of a €35 million offer from Juventus.
An injury to Inigo Martinez forced Hansi Flick to rely on Araujo in the final hour of Barcelona’s Supercopa de Espana final against Real Madrid on Sunday, and after he helped his side to a comfortable 5-2 win, that became the Centre-back told he had to “stay” with several of his teammates during the trophy presentation.
Araujo appears to have complied with these demands Fabrizio Romano reports that the newly crowned champion has “agreed in principle” to a new contract.
The defender’s existing contract was due to expire in 2026 and talks over an extension had stalled. Barcelona president Joan Laporta addressed Araujo’s uncertain future at a press conference on Tuesday, revealing: “We want every player we have in the squad to continue, they are all useful.”
“Araujo has a contract and I want him to stay. But certain circumstances have arisen – which I won’t go into in detail because I don’t know everything – and he’s talking to the sports director.” [Deco].
“We value him very much on a professional level, but especially on a personal level. There is still time to find a solution that is satisfactory to everyone.” According to the latest reports, this solution has been found.