Picture Credit: La Liga
Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo has agreed to re-sign with FC Barcelona, with a new contract until 30 June 2026. The Blaugrana have also added a release clause rising to €1 billion ($1.16bn) as confirmed by the club’s website. The signing of the new contract is scheduled for Friday 29 April at 1.30 PM CEST on the field at Camp Nou.
Araujo was set to go out of contract in 2023 and, as per reports, was linked to Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool. Reports also say that the money offered by the Premier League sides was higher than Barca's offer, but as reported by ESPN that Araujo had prioritised remaining at Camp Nou.
The 23-year-old has been with Barca since 2018 when he first joined the club's B team from Boston River in his homeland in a deal worth an initial €2 million. This deal made him one of the lowest-paid players in the first team going into the current campaign. Hence his agents were keen on an increased salary according to his new status at the club.
So far in this season, Ronald Araujo has made 39 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals. One of his goals was scored in the 4-0 El Clasico victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
New defensive reinforcements
In addition to Araujo’s long-term deal, Barca has reportedly reached an agreement for signing Danish defender Andreas Christensen on a free transfer during the summer transfer window as his contract with English Premier League team Chelsea expires. Araujo and Christensen will compete with Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia for the starting spot in Barca's defence next season.
Club President Joan Laporta confirmed the Catalans had signed two players, but would not name them on Catalan radio station Rac1.“We’ve completed two signings for the next season,” he said. “One is a midfielder, the other one is a centre-back. But I’m not allowed to mention their names,” he added.
These names as reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano are Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessié who both fully agreed to sign. The Blaugrana have also reportedly decided to take offers for Clement Lenglet, Oscar Mingueza and Samuel Umtiti.