I would play for Man United on one condition – £85m Barcelona superstar makes shock January transfer decision after Rio Ferdinand’s Manchester United warning

I would play for Man United on one condition – £85m Barcelona superstar makes shock January transfer decision after Rio Ferdinand’s Manchester United warning

Ronald Araujo looks set to remain at Barcelona next month despite significant interest from both Bayern Munich and Manchester United, according to reports.

The Uruguay international has quickly established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Europe, though his relatively modest salary coupled with an extended run playing at right-back has alerted clubs to a potential opportunity to swoop.

Barca are not currently in a position to offer Araujo fresh terms and they are aware that Bayern have begun a huge charm offensive to try and turn the defender’s head, with sporting director Christoph Freund even speaking to him.

Freund played coy when asked about a move for 24-year-old on Monday, though did concede that ‘in principle there are some discussions, but I don’t want to say anything about that in detail.’

Thomas Tuchel is pushing for Bayern’s hierarchy to go all out to land Araujo and although Barca do not want to lose him, their financial struggles mean they might be tempted to cash in if they receive an offer that is too good to turn down.

United are also long-time admirers of the Uruguayan and are in need of a new centre-back, though manager Erik ten Hag recently played down the chances of the club spending big in January.

Were they to make a move, however, it looks as if both United and Bayern would be left disappointed with Spanish newspaper Sport reporting that Araujo has no intention of leaving Camp Nou.

While he is flattered by the interest, he is largely happy and settled in Catalonia despite some reservations about the amount of time he has spent at right-back, and a January move is only a possibility if Barca receive a huge offer and effectively force him out – which is unlikely.

Bayern would be significant favourites for Araujo’s signature if he does leave, particularly after Rio Ferdinand warned the defender against joining United this week.

‘If I’m a player like Ronald who I think has every attribute to be one of the best defenders in the world, why are you going United?’ Ferdinand said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show.

‘I’d be looking at Varane and going if he can go to Manchester United and get benched for a left-back, or for an old veteran like Jonny Evans an ex-player who has come back for his twilight years and someone who used to be captain who was left out for 18 months but is back in form now and is playing, I can’t go there and risk my life and risk my career.’

Ferdinand added: ‘If you look at it what player has gone to Manchester United and got better? Varane has got worse, Casemiro has gone backwards now in their value and worth. You’d get good money for Bruno still, he’s the only one.

‘Wan-Bissaka you aren’t getting £50million now, they aren’t getting what they paid for Dalot, I’m sure. Amad Diallo the Ivory Coast boy. I could go through them all. I don’t know who comes in? Would you get the same money for Hojlund now? No! Sancho? I could keep going if you want. Van de Beek?’