Juventus have reportedly had an opening offer for Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo rejected by the Catalan giants.
There is currently a host of speculation surrounding the Uruguay international's future, as his contract is due to expire in June 2026, and it is understood that negotiations over a potential extension are at a standstill.
Barcelona would allegedly be willing to sell Araujo this month for the right price, which has attracted the attention of Juventus, while Arsenal are also believed to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also admirers, although there are no indications at this moment in time that either are planning to make a move for the 25-year-old.
Araujo is currently with the Barcelona squad in Saudi Arabia, with the final of the Spanish Super Cup taking place on Sunday night, but he is highly unlikely to be involved in El Clasico.
© Imago
Juventus 'see opening bid for Araujo rejected'
Araujo has only made one appearance this season, playing the full 90 minutes of the team's Copa del Rey clash against Barbastro on January 4, and he was an unused substitute against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on January 8.
The South American has also been on the bench for Barcelona's last two league games against Leganes and Atletico Madrid after overcoming the serious hamstring injury which made him absent in the early months of the campaign.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Juventus have made an opening offer for Araujo, but it was swiftly rejected by Barcelona, who will not let the defender leave for under their asking price.
The report claims that Barcelona would want €70m (£59m) for Araujo, but it is incredibly difficult to imagine the Old Lady coming up with that sort of offer this month unless they are able to make a major sale themselves.
© Imago
What has Araujo said regarding his future?
"We are talking with the club about my renewal, but I am focused on playing again and getting minutes. Will I continue 100% at Barca? We are talking to the club," Araujo told reporters after his recent outing against Barbastro.
The defender made the move to Barcelona from Boston River in 2018, and he has represented the club on 151 occasions, scoring eight goals and registering six assists in the process.
Araujo is viewed as a vital player by the Catalan outfit, but he is not currently a part of Flick's first XI, with Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez the starting central defenders for the La Liga title hopefuls.
Juventus' stance is unclear at this stage, with the Old Lady now considering whether to launch a fresh move for a player who is regarded as one of the leading centre-backs in world football when in full flow.
Matt Law
