Explained: Barcelona and Araujo U-turn after Jonathan Tah move is confirmed

At one stage it looked inevitable that Barcelona vice-captain Ronald Araujo would be departing the club, with the Blaugrana negotiating to bring in Jonathan Tah. However Araujo and Barcelona seem committed to a future together, with Tah confirming his new club on Thursday.

The Germany international was out of contract at Bayer Leverkusen this season, and Barcelona had agreed terms with him earlier in the year. It was reported that they had been unable to guarantee that he could be registered though, as Barcelona required departures first. Tah has since signed with with Bayern Munich, confirming a move to Bavaria a summer after their initial interest.

Araujo signed a deal until 2031 in January, but has a release clause that drops to €60-65m in the first half of July. Many saw the new deal as a temporary fix, with an allowance for Araujo to seek his future in the summer if he did not recover a starting spot, which was the case. Yet earlier this week, Araujo confirmed he would be staying at the club this summer.

The Uruguayan was on the verge of accepting a January offer from Juventus say Sport, but they say Hansi Flick is responsible for a U-turn in the defender’s stance. He explained to Araujo that he would be important next season, and Araujo has accepted the challenge of fighting for a starting spot. Criticism for his role in Champions League defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Inter have also wounded Araujo’s pride, and he wants to prove his quality. The fact Barcelona now have an exciting and successful project is also a major factor in his thinking.

Although it seems convenient now, Cadena SER assure that there were doubts about bringing in Tah this summer. Tah has an advocate in Flick too, but the sporting direction at Barcelona analysed both side by side, and concluded that Araujo was the better player.

Selling Araujo and bringing in Tah for free would have made some sense economically, but on the pitch, Barcelona had little doubt. If Araujo had moved to leave though, Tah was their first choice.