Defender Ronald Araujo from FC Barcelona is considered FC Bayern’s dream player, but was not available this winter. And even after the season, courting the 24-year-old Uruguayan could become a hopeless endeavor for the Munich team.
“We are not thinking of selling him. He is not for sale because he is one of the key players in Barca’s future,” sports director Deco made clear to “Movistar”.
Araujo has “a long contract” with the Spanish champions. He shows every day that he is happy here. There is nothing to talk about.
The sought-after professional is said to have had a telephone conversation with coach Thomas Tuchel and sporting director Christoph Freund from FC Bayern in December. However, Manchester United are also said to be looking for Araujo.
The sticking point from Munich’s perspective could also be the transfer fee, which should be around 80 million euros – if Barca is even willing to talk, which Deco’s statements do not suggest.
The Munich-based company is said to have recently failed with a 75 million euro offer, Spanish media and “Bild” reported unanimously. In this context, it was even said that Barca demanded “almost twice as much” for the flexible defensive man. Deco’s word of power could also be interpreted as part of a replacement poker game.
FC Bayern relies on other solutions
But nothing will happen in the Araujo case in the winter, especially since FC Bayern has now focused on other, smaller solutions.
But the cards could be reshuffled in the summer. In keeping with this, the Catalan online newspaper “El Nacional” recently reported that Araujo was on Barca’s sales list. They want to fill the empty coffers with a high transfer fee.
Accordingly, the club also wants to get rid of Alejandro Balde, Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski after the current season, despite current contracts.