Man United set To ‘open Negotiations’ For £50m Star who wants Old Trafford move as Laporta identifies replacement

Man United set To ‘open Negotiations’ For £50m Star who wants Old Trafford move as Laporta identifies replacement

Manchester United will begin talks to land Ronald Araujo this summer as Barcelona look to ‘sacrifice’ the star to fund their own new signing, according to reports.

Araujo came close to leaving Barcelona in January as he held talks over a move to Juventus. Barca appeared willing to sell the defender to improve their financial standing, only to complete a late U-turn and offer him a new contract.

Araujo went on to sign the new deal, which runs until June 2031 and includes a €65million (£55m / $70m) release clause.

However, it is far from guaranteed that the centre-back will spend the next six years at the Camp Nou.

As per Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barca president Joan Laporta is already formulating plans to sell Araujo, with Man Utd one potential destination.

Laporta ‘welcomes’ Araujo’s possible sale, with manager Hansi Flick not entirely convinced on the centre-back either.

Barca have been tipped to sell the Uruguayan for €60m (£50m / $65m), slightly less than his exit clause.

Out of all the major European clubs keen on Araujo, Ruben Amorim’s United are supposedly ‘showing the greatest interest’.

United are poised to ‘open negotiations’ early in the summer transfer window to try and tee up a deal.

Amorim has identified Araujo as a ‘key’ defensive addition as the Red Devils look to move on current duo Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.

Araujo is a long-term target for United and they could finally get their man for a reduced price in the summer.

The 26-year-old is a defensive powerhouse who is viewed as one of the best stoppers in LaLiga. He could therefore form a solid partnership with the likes of Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez in Amorim’s back three