PSG have reportedly entered the race to sign Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who is also a target for Chelsea and Manchester United.
According to SPORT, Paris Saint-Germain have set their sights on a summer move for Barcelona defensive mainstay Ronald Araujo, who will enter the final year of his contract in the summer. Chelsea and Manchester United hold an interest in the 23-year-old.
Araujo joined Barcelona in the summer of 2018 from Uruguayan outfit Boston River. The centre-back spent a year with the club’s B team before making his senior debut in 2019. But it was only during the last season that he became a regular in the first-team setup. He has since come leaps and bounds.
Araujo has emerged as one of the best defenders in La Liga in the ongoing season and has played a key role in the Catalans’ resurgent run under Xavi Hernandez. The 23-year-old has impressed with his maturity, leadership and aggressive defending. With his current contract expiring in 2023, Barcelona have been attempting to tie him down to a new deal.
However, the opportunity is not lost on Chelsea and Manchester United, who have had their eyes on Araujo for a while now. But they will now have to contend with competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who are also keen on signing the Barcelona defender.
PSG are in the market for defensive reinforcements after seeing them move for Sergio Ramos last summer blow up in their faces. The veteran defender joined the Parisian giants on a massive contract but has struggled with injuries and has hardly taken the pitch this term.
Furthermore, with the likes of Abdou Diallo and Thilo Kehrer not performing well consistently enough, a new, top-quality defender is on the agenda. PSG have been involved in talks with Chelsea contract rebel Antonio Rudiger but are keeping their options open with Araujo emerging as a target.
As for Chelsea, they are preparing to bid goodbye to Andreas Christensen, who is on his way to Barcelona in a Bosman deal. Cesar Azpilicueta and Rudiger could also leave Stamford Bridge, leaving a massive void in the defensive department, with the Blues hoping to address it with the capture of Araujo.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s defence continues to be in shambles, leading to calls for the club to sell Harry Maguire. In addition, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are likely to depart from the club at the end of the season, and they will need to sign a new defender to maintain quality and depth in the squad, making Araujo a viable target.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United have presented Araujo with offers, but he has refused to entertain them so far as he wishes to continue at Barcelona. The Catalans had initially offered a deal worth a lowly €3 million per season, which was rejected as the Uruguayan’s camp sought a contract that reflects his current status in the side.
The Blaugrana are understood to have tabled an improved offer but are still some way away from meeting the defender’s expectations. It has left the window open for PSG, Chelsea and Manchester United to make a swoop. It remains to be seen how the situation develops in the coming weeks.
First of all, PSG must get rid of the habit of taking players by force (of money). Apparently it doesn’t help at all. A team is not just about mercenaries.