Trouble in Barcelona?: Ronald Araujo 'forced' to stay after Iñigo Martínez's injury

FC Barcelona suffered a significant loss in the Supercopa de España final. Iñigo Martínez left injured in the 28th minute and the initial tests conducted after the match in Jeddah confirmed a tear in the biceps femoris of the right thigh. 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 Ronald Araujo's future.

This week, the Italian press leaked a supposed verbal agreement between the 'charrúa' and Juventus for the center-back to leave Barça in January. Although the first offer from the 'Vecchia Signora' was far from the economic aspirations of the culés, the management and coaching staff of the azulgrana team did not intend to prevent his departure if, ultimately, the Juventus proposal approached the minimum price the club expects to receive for the '4'.

Barça changes plans with Ronald Araujo

With the 1:1 rule secured, Barça could reinvest the money from Araujo's sale in a 'top' reinforcement for the second half of the season, anticipating some additional trouble with the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. However, Iñigo's absence 'forces' the azulgrana captain to stay, at least, until the end of the season, waiting to resolve whether he renews his contract before the summer.

Ronald has a contract until June 2026 and, while he has made it clear his desire to help the club as long as he is available to play, he seemed determined to leave given the possibility of being a substitute for the rest of the season. Now, with the Basque out of action for at least a month, the Uruguayan international's doors to the starting eleven are reopened to accompany Pau Cubarsí in the center of defense.

Hansi Flick has no doubt about the abilities of the player from Rivera, a key factor in cooling the rumors about his departure. Although the club also has Eric García and Andreas Christensen to cover Martínez's absence, clearly Araujo is the most sensible option to face everything that is coming in La Liga, Copa, and Champions. In fact, both the Catalan and the Danish are also on the list of transferables in the winter transfer window.