Man United in double scouting mission as £86m-rated La-liga star considered amid strong Chelsea interest -Report

Man United in double scouting mission as £86m-rated La-liga star considered amid strong Chelsea interest -Report

Manchester United reportedly remain interested in Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo and will continue to monitor his situation ahead of the new year.

Caught Offside claims that Chelsea has also expressed interest in Araujo, who has been linked to United for the past few months.

According to the source, during negotiations for a new contract, clubs have been alerted to his predicament.

President Joan Laporta has made public remarks about attempting to retain Araujo and other important talents, as his current contract expires in the summer of 2026.

The statement he provided was an update: “We are working on Araujo, De Jong, and Pedri’s new contracts.”

Araujo has been with the team since 2019, but it is unclear if he will sign a new contract with the Spanish powerhouses. The athlete has stated in the past that he is “very well and calm” regarding his future.

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“I have a contract until 2026. My representatives will meet the club,” the Uruguay international said in the summer. Meanwhile, United and Chelsea are reported as being ‘prepared’ to pounce if there is no progress over contract talks ‘in the next few months.’

In addition, Spanish news outlet Sport suggests Barca will demand at least €100million (£86m) in order to consider letting the centre-back leave the club.

Elsewhere, Tutto Mercato reports United scouts were reportedly in attendance in Italy to watch Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno against Empoli. Georgia international Kvaratskhelia scored the winner for Napoli from the penalty spot, while Buongiorno also put in a strong performance.

Kvaratskhelia was heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer but remained with the Serie A giants. However, he is yet to agree a new deal despite being ‘in talks’ with the club.

He is said to be ‘unsellable’ by boss Antonio Conte, while a ‘high offer’ around €70m (£58m) would be needed to convince Napoli to part ways with Buongiorno.