Main suitor for Barcelona star drops interest in €60m deal

Barcelona have plenty on their plate again this summer, as they hold out for the approval of their VIP seats lease, which will define what business they can do in the transfer window. However there has been some suggestion that the Blaugrana would be keen to offload one or two players that are not defined starters.

That has been seen by a string of rumours in the Catalan press surrounding the likes of Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez, both of who have been linked to Chelsea. The other key ‘candidate’ for a sale is defender Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan has made it clear he is keen to continue, but there are elements within the club that would be in favour of his exit – he has a release clause of €60-70m valid through to the 15th of July.

Previously Araujo has been on the agenda at Bayern Munich and Manchester United, but teh most recent concrete interest was from Juventus. The Bianconeri made a €35m bid for Araujo in January, which was turned down, before Araujo signed a new deal with Barcelona until 2031.

However Sport report that Juventus have dropped their interest in Araujo. The main advocate for his signature was Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntioli, who was replaced by Damien Comolli recently. Since, Juventus have signed Pierre Kalulu from AC Milan for €15m too, ruling out Araujo from their plans. Matteo Moretto has also reported that La Vecchia Signora have not reopened talks with Araujo.

Araujo lost his place in Barcelona’s starting XI for the first time in several years this season, and will be desperate to win it back, with Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez ahead of him. If Araujo senses that this may be beyond him under Hansi Flick, that could alter the matter, but it seems his future is in Barcelona for the time being.