Barcelona sporting director Deco has reportedly talked Ronald Araujo into staying at the club, and the centre-back could allegedly soon sign a new long-term contract with the Catalan giants in a dramatic turnaround.
Araujo's existing deal with Barcelona is due to expire in June 2026, and there has recently been widespread speculation surrounding his future, with Juventus said to be desperate to sign him during the January transfer window.
Arsenal are also believed to have been keeping a close eye on the situation surrounding the Uruguay international.
Juventus are said to have failed with an opening offer for the centre-back over the weekend, but the Old Lady were expected to return with a fresh bid, with the Turin giants determined to secure his signature.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, there has been 'a radical turn', with the club's sporting director Deco convincing Araujo to stay this month, while a new contract could soon be signed.
The report claims that Araujo is 'highly valued' by Deco and Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick despite the fact that the latter is currently leaving him out of the starting XI due to the form of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez.
© Imago
Araujo 'set to stay at Barcelona' despite exit talk
Araujo missed the opening months of the 2024-25 campaign due to the serious hamstring injury which he suffered while representing Uruguay at last summer's Copa America.
The defender's only start of the 2024-25 campaign came against Barbastro in the Copa del Rey on January 4, but he featured off the bench in the final of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid on Sunday night.
Martinez's early injury opened the door for Araujo to feature, and the 25-year-old made a strong impression with a solid performance.
Araujo is now in line to feature in the middle of the defence while Martinez is unavailable, and a strong run of form would surely see him keep his position alongside Cubarsi.
© Imago
Could Araujo still leave Barcelona this summer?
The defender's long-term future at Barcelona will depend on whether he signs a new contract before the end of the season.
If that is not the case, he would only have 12 months left to run on his deal this summer, and Barcelona would not want a player of his ilk to enter the final year of his contract without a resolution in sight.
When in full flow, Araujo is one of the best centre-backs in world football, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich also said to be admirers, and it would not be a shock to see the South American depart this summer.
Barcelona's financial situation means that they would simply have to listen to a substantial offer for the defender, but it now appears almost certain that he will be staying for at least the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
Matt Law
