Arsenal ready to outbid Juventus for Barcelona's Ronald Araujo

By SABC Sport
9th January 2025

Arsenal are intensifying their efforts to secure the services of Barcelona's stalwart defender Ronald Araujo, aiming to edge out Juventus in the transfer tussle.

The Gunners, who have consistently finished as runners-up in the Premier League over the last two seasons, are looking to bolster their squad to mount a stronger challenge for the title.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, reportedly sees the 25-year-old Uruguayan as a key piece in strengthening the team's defensive line.

Recent reports from Spain suggest that Arsenal are prepared to make a significant bid of 50 million euros, which could be hard for Barcelona to turn down amidst their well-documented financial constraints. "It's an offer that would be difficult to reject," a source close to the negotiations has said.

Barcelona's financial situation has forced them to consider offers for key players, as evidenced by their struggle to register Dani Olmo for the second half of the season.

However, the transfer isn't straightforward. While Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, has not ruled out accepting an offer for Araujo, the player's own intentions remain uncertain.

Araujo, who started 21 La Liga games last season before an injury sidelined him for several matches, also featured prominently in the Champions League, starting eight matches.

The question of where Araujo would fit into Arsenal's lineup is pivotal. With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal already boast one of the Premier League's most formidable central defensive pairings. Saliba has logged over 2400 minutes in all competitions this season, missing only one league game due to a red card.

Gabriel has similarly been a mainstay, with over 2000 minutes on the pitch. This raises doubts about the feasibility of integrating Araujo without disrupting the current defensive chemistry.

A source close to Araujo has said, "He's aware of his role at Barcelona and might prefer to stay where he's guaranteed significant playing time." This sentiment suggests that while Arsenal's interest is strong, the move might not be as appealing for Araujo from a playing time perspective.

As the transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on whether Arsenal's strategic bid can sway both Barcelona and Araujo. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining if this high-stakes transfer gamble pays off for the Gunners.