Barcelona respond to Man United transfer interest and approach for Ronald Araujo

Barcelona respond to Man United transfer interest and approach for Ronald Araujo

According to rumors in Spain, Barcelona has informed Manchester United and Chelsea that they are seeking in excess of €100 million (£84.6 million) for Ronald Araujo.

The Uruguayan international is on Chelsea and United’s shortlists as they look to add a new central defender this summer.

The pair from the Premier League intended to take advantage of Barcelona’s financial predicament, since the Spanish team must sell in order to raise funds for transfers involving their own targets, namely Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger Nico Williams.

Araujo, 25, is still available, according to Mundo Deportivo, and Barcelona won’t contemplate moving him unless they receive a transfer fee of at least €100 million (£84.6 million).

The report claims that Chelsea, United and Bayern Munich, who tried to sign Araujo in the January transfer window, have all made approaches for the defender.

Speaking in March, Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, made it clear that the club’s preference would be to keep Araujo, whose contract expires in 2026.

‘I would renew him for life,’ Laporta said.

‘He’s a wonderful person. He is one of the best centre-backs at the club.’

When asked this week if he could guarantee that he would be playing for Barcelona next season, Araujo replied: ‘I am 100 per cent focused on the Copa America.’

United have since turned their attention to signing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.