Defender United bid for last week agrees to leave European giants – report

Ronald Araujo to Manchester United is one transfer fans may need to keep a close eye on.

Last week, reports relayed by The Peoples Person suggested United had made an offer to sign the Barcelona centre-back.

While there has been no concrete progress on that front, an intriguing claim from Spain has now emerged: the defender is reportedly open to leaving Camp Nou.

Barcelona needs a major sale

Barcelona’s financial troubles have left them in a tricky position to bolster Hansi Flick’s team.

The La Liga champions are keen to add red-hot winger Nico Williams to their squad. However, they are struggling to activate the Spaniard’s Athletic Bilbao release clause.

To close that deal, they need to raise funds through player sales, with Araujo identified as the most viable candidate.

Injuries have hampered the 26-year-old’s form over the past two seasons, and Barcelona decision-makers believe he is the most reasonable sale, as he has struggled to justify his place in the squad lately.

Araujo is open to a fresh start

Previously, it was claimed that the player had no intention of leaving the Spanish giants.

But according to fresh reports from Spain, he has softened his stance and is now open to “studying the offers that come to him.”

Barcelona’s chiefs are said to be optimistic that a resolution will be found that satisfies all parties regarding his future.

While several clubs have been offered the chance to sign Araujo, the Premier League is seen as his most likely destination.

INEOS, having already made their move last week, will be hoping they are the ones to land him.

A perfect Lindelof/Evans replacement

Being a right-footed centre-back, Araujo could slot in seamlessly at Old Trafford, filling the void left by Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.

However, that will be the case only if United can pull off a €60 million (£51.7 million) deal.

Having signed a new contract extension with Barcelona last winter that ties him to the club until 2031, the Catalans were never going to let him go cheaply.

Featured image Fran Santiago via Getty Images

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