FC Barcelona and Ronald Araujo are closer than ever to parting ways in the current winter market. The Uruguayan defender just returned to action last Saturday against Barbastro after missing the entire first half of the 2024-25 season due to injury. Although Hansi Flick counts on him for the second half of the season, the 'charrúa' knows he is a substitute behind Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí, which is why he sees it feasible to move to another club where he is guaranteed a starting position.
The latest rumors from Italy point to Juventus' interest in the '4' culé, although a formal 'bianconeri' offer has not yet reached Barça's offices. Thiago Motta's team prioritizes bringing in another center-back in January, and given Benfica's refusal to negotiate for Antonio Silva, Fabrizio Romano assures that 'La Vecchia Signora' will go all out for Araujo. However, the 25-year-old defender has other plans in mind.
According to 'Mundo Deportivo', Ronald has already leaked to the culé dressing room his desire to leave in January, but he prefers to wait for an offer from the Premier League. In this regard, Arsenal would be the first option for the player. Mikel Arteta has also requested reinforcements from the 'gunner' management in the winter market, but the Spanish coach is leaning towards signing another '9' instead of a defender.
Barça will only let Ronald Araujo go for an offer
Meanwhile, Barça's management is calmly awaiting an offer from Juve or any other team. Araujo's decision has surprised the blue and garnet leadership, as the club hopes to resolve his renewal in the coming months. However, the culé stance is clear: the center-back will only leave if an offer of around 80 million euros arrives, and a loan is not contemplated.
The player from Rivera has a contract until June 2026, and if his renewal does not come to fruition before June, he will be put up for sale next summer. Despite this, the coaching staff counts on him 100% for the rest of the season, although he will start as a substitute while waiting to fully regain competitive rhythm. Barça's demanding schedule in January will give him good opportunities to accumulate quality minutes in La Liga, Copa, and Champions, as long as his transfer does not materialize in the coming days.
Ronald is currently the third captain of the team, behind Ter Stegen and Frenkie de Jong, another player on the way out. The center-back has played a total of 151 official matches with the blue and garnet team, scoring 8 goals and providing 6 assists. Beyond his constant physical problems in the last two years, both the management and the fans hold a special affection for him as one of the team's references, and his departure will undoubtedly leave a significant void in the dressing room, although the operation will ultimately be beneficial for Barça as it will open the door for a stellar reinforcement in attack.