Ronald Araujo in danger! What are Laporta and Deco waiting for to finalize his renewal?

Ronald Araujo has a contract until 2026 and a salary far below his level, so his renewal should already be finalized. The center-back still cannot confirm his continuity, possibly due to doubts about the Barça offer and his dangerous and more than evident double game. On one hand, he claims to be negotiating the renewal, but at the same time, he does not cut off the rumors and opens the door to a possible sale. According to the latest information, the Juventus could increase their offer to 50 million, an amount that is still light years away from the real value of a player of the Uruguayan's level. 

The club cannot let him go under any circumstances and should make a final effort by offering a fair and reasonable offer. It is no secret that Araujo is not happy with the salary he currently receives at FC Barcelona. The Uruguayan is earning 3.5M€ net, an amount that is tremendously far from what he should earn due to his status as captain and an undisputed player, and by level, being an international and surely one of the best center-backs in the world.

The player's demands seem reasonable, especially considering the disparity compared to the salaries of other team members who are not even starters. It is hard to understand that Frenkie de Jong earns 9.5M€ net, Ansu Fati 7M€, Ferran Torres 5M€, Christensen 4.5M€, and Eric García 3M€. Perhaps that is why the defender has been keeping the door open to a possible exit for months, something that would be a complete disaster for the FC Barcelona on a sporting level.

Fate offered him an unexpected opportunity to Ronald Araujo in the Supercopa de España final. The injury of Iñigo Martínez gave way for the Uruguayan in the match against Real Madrid, playing more than 80 minutes when it seemed he would watch the victory of the FC Barcelona from the bench. With this, the Basque, untouchable in Hansi Flick's scheme until now, will be out for 4 to 5 weeks, an injury that directly affects Araujo's future.

Araujo wants to earn more and any team would pay him

 

It is evident that the defender is clear that it is time to have his first star salary. After extending his contract in 2022 doing a favor to a financially 'hit' club, accepting to earn surely less than what he was entitled to even then, now he does not want to make concessions and wants to have the salary he has earned on the field.

This is what is understood from his stance every time he speaks, and the truth is that nothing bad can be said about him, since after making concessions two years ago, he should not be asked to continue doing so now. Now it is Barcelona's turn to fulfill their part.

From this objective of substantially increasing his salary arise rumors about his possible departure. The 'big' teams in Europe know that this summer he will be one of the major targets if there is no agreement for his renewal and all would be willing to at least double his current salary.

Araujo is the big star who earns the least at Barça

If Barça cannot meet Ronald's wishes and offers him an amount below what he considers he deserves, it is more than likely that the player himself could change his stance on his future and open up to the idea of leaving and sign for another team. In Turin, Munich, Paris, or Manchester, it is said that they could offer him to double his salary from 3.5 to 8 'kilos', which for his level and performance on the field would be quite fair for a player of his caliber.

To put everything in context, in the Barcelona squad, Lewandowski earns 16 million net, Raphinha more than 6, Koundé almost 7, and even Christensen and Iñigo Martínez, with more than 4.5, are earning more than him now. With this salary scale and having a contract until 2026, it is natural that Araujo wants a significant increase, even doubling his current salary to match Koundé, who is the fourth highest earner in the locker room, only behind Lewy, Frenkie de Jong, and Ansu Fati.

For importance, experience, and performance, the Uruguayan deserves to be in that position and it seems that is what he will fight for. Now it remains to be seen if the FC Barcelona is willing to offer him what he deserves or if they expect him to settle for less money, putting his continuity at risk.

Barça offers Ronald less than what he wants and deserves

 

For now, the official position of Barça is such that the Barcelona fans should be on alert. Deco assured that the club wants to retain the center-back and will do everything possible to do so, and left the 'ball' in his court. "Araujo will renew if he wants to. We will make an effort because he deserves it. The club's effort is to maintain what we have," declared the sporting director. Words that imply that the entity will offer him everything they can within their limits, but perhaps it will not be a proposal as high as the defender expects.

After conceding in 2022 and seeing how the signings that arrived that year between January and summer, Lewandowski, Christensen, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, and Koundé, have been earning more than him, and that in 2023, Gündogan, Iñigo, and Joao Cancelo also, it seems normal that the player is tired of conceding and only seeks that Barça be fair with him. He has earned the right to earn more than almost all of those mentioned, if not all, and that is why he demands a salary that is at the level of Koundé (almost 7 net). It seems reasonable and is not far from the current proposal.

Laporta and Deco must do the impossible to retain Araujo

The FC Barcelona must move 'heaven' and 'earth' to keep Ronald happy by offering him a fair salary that he accepts for the renewal. The fans cannot be left without their best center-back and without the one who would be the perfect mentor for Pau Cubarsí, who someday could also be 'top 3' in the world, just like the Uruguayan. Although financially, selling Araujo could help to sign a quality reinforcement, the sporting and locker room loss would be tremendous.

Araujo joined Barça in August 2018, after paying 4.7 million euros to Boston River. After making the leap to the first team, with Ronald Koeman as coach, the Uruguayan defender became a key piece in Barça, renewing his contract due to interest from other teams in signing him.

The Uruguayan is one of the great leaders of the squad and acts as such both on and off the field, something invaluable in any team. The character and personality he exudes are worthy of mention, and there is no money in the world capable of paying that. Furthermore, the '4' is a unique center-back due to his brutal physique, which allows him to face any top winger and forward in the world. He is a super elite corrector, reaching almost all crosses, winning by speed against his opponent when necessary, and also being decisive in the air thanks to his height of over 1.90 m.

If Barça wants to compete for the next Champions and also win Leagues and Cups, they need Araujo in the team. Without him, Cubarsí would be left without a mentor and with much more pressure than he currently has, as Christensen and Iñigo, while being good center-backs, are not part of the elite in Europe. For all these reasons, Laporta and Deco cannot fail and must resolve this 'folder' to reassure all Barcelona fans and secure what will be a fundamental piece in building a champion FC Barcelona. And, if they have to sell, Frenkie de Jong and Ferran Torres are the perfect candidates.

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