Barcelona are keen to tie down young centre-back Ronald Araujo to a new contract and have held several meetings with the defender’s representatives in an attempt to strike a deal.
The 21-year-old is now a first-team regular, making three appearances in all competitions this season, but remains on the contract he first signed when he joined the reserve side back in 2018. Who was
Araujo has been permanently promoted to the first team / Secret Images / Getty Images
Since his breakthrough in October 2019, Barcelona have been keen to give him a well-earned pay rise, and as noted by Marca, are now in talks with him over a deal to Will stay at Camp Nou until 2026.
It is stressed that no-one at the club sees the talks as an attempt by Barcelona to gain leverage over the playing squad in their current dispute over wage deferrals. Gerard Pique’s decision to sign a new contract after co-operating with the squad has divided the dressing room, but Araujo has no ill feelings about the negotiations.
Finding centre-backs for the future is one of Barcelona’s top priorities these days. With Piqueé, now 33, and Samuel Umtiti apparently on the treatment table, club officials want to ensure they have enough options to partner Clement Lenglet for the foreseeable future.
Pique will turn 34 in February / Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Keeping Araujo around is seen as a great first step, with Barcelona also keen to negotiate a deal to sign Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, 19, who has made it clear he wants a move before the deadline. Will not sign a new contract. His current contract expires next summer.
Talks over Araujo’s new contract are said to be well underway, with only a few minor details remaining to be ironed out before everything is in place.
The Uruguayan is set to make his fourth start for the club on Wednesday, when he is expected to start for Ronald Koeman’s side against Juventus in the Champions League.
Two legends of the game, head to head.
This Wednesday. #JuveBarça pic.twitter.com/ijBGBHTyKF
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 26, 2020
Umtiti remains injured, while Pique is suspended after being sent off last time out against Ferencváros, so Araújo and Lenglet are the only recognized centre-backs in the squad.
21-year-old academy defender Óscar Mingueza was included on the bench against Ferencváros, and with Koeman having no other options at his disposal, the Spaniard is likely to keep his place in the squad against Juventus.
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