Barcelona take step toward securing defender Ronald Araujo's future

Representatives of the Uruguayan centre-back, Edmundo Kabchi and Edoardo Crnjar, along with Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, touched down in Barcelona on Wednesday to hold discussions with the club's sports management, where they met with Barcelona's sporting director Deco.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the visit of Araujo's representatives to Barcelona was already scheduled as the club target extending the Uruguayan defender's contract amidst interest from powerful European teams, particularly Bayern Munich, who are keen to secure the services of the Uruguayan.

The meeting between the two parties was said to be amicable, with both sides presenting their perspectives, acknowledging that Araujo's contract runs until June 2026, providing ample time for further negotiations. It was an initial discussion, with both parties agreeing to reconvene in the coming weeks.

Barca's priority lies in securing 24-year-old Araujo's involvement sooner than later, to avoid reaching next summer without an agreement, with just one year left on the Uruguayan's deal with the club.

Indeed, should the need arise to balance the books through player sales, Barcelona are clear that they would prioritize offloading Jules Kounde over Araujo, as the former has yet to deliver as expected since his arrival from Sevilla in July 2022.

Araujo, on his part, has no desire to leave Barcelona, feeling a strong connection to both the club and the city, where his two children were born. However, with two and a half years remaining on his contract, he prefers to take things step by step.

Araujo's top priority at present is the Champions League round of 16 tie against Napoli, with the first leg scheduled for next Wednesday at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Following disappointments in recent years, coupled with their elimination from the Copa del Rey and a significant points gap in La Liga, the team are determined to give their all in Europe's premier competition.

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