Barcelona know Liverpool will pay ‘high transfer price’ for Arsenal target

Barcelona know Liverpool would be ‘willing to pay a high transfer price’ for Ronald Araujo this summer, but want to announce he has signed a new contract before the end of April.

That’s according to Sport, who note the Blaugrana know the Reds and Manchester United have shown intent interest in the Uruguayan. The Premier League rivals have sounded out Araujo in the hope that his current deal ending in 2023 could see him leave the Camp Nou.

The centre-half has become the star of the Catalan giants’ backline in recent years and can offer an option for the next decade. But his status has seen Barcelona hurry to agree a new deal against the knowledge that lucrative sums would be on their way in the next market.

Talks between Barcelona and Araujo had previously broken down as the La Liga side made lowball offers for personal terms. Yet the Camp Nou hierarchy restarted negotiations with an improved deal, and settled on its value as the defender wishes to remain in Catalunya.

Araujo is very grateful for the efforts Barcelona showed to secure his services from Boston River in 2018. He also feels very comfortable at the club and with his role under boss Xavi Hernandez, who additionally made a big effort to convince the 23-year-old of his future.

Barcelona know Liverpool will pay ‘high transfer price’ for Arsenal eyed Araujo

Barcelona now hope to announce Araujo has extended his contract to 2026 before the end of April, to end Liverpool’s hopes of a transfer. The paperwork for his new deal is currently being formalised before pen can hit paper, and will include a €1bn (£828m) release clause.

There is a €200m (£165.5m) clause in his current terms, which Jurgen Klopp may have had to trigger this summer. As well as Liverpool’s interest, ABC report Arsenal and Manchester United tabled Araujo an €8m-a-year (£127k-a/w) contract to leave Barcelona this summer.

The Gunners and Red Devils’ offers were worth double the €4m-a-year (£63.5k-a-/w) net that the Blaugrana had previously suggested. Yet neither of the Premier League trio seem likely to welcome Araujo to England without paying Barcelona an unprecedented amount.

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