Julián Araujo's transfer mess: Barça don't know if they've signed right-back

There is a big mess with the signing of the Mexican interrnational Julián Araujo. Barcelona had reached an agreement with LA Galaxy of the MLS for the right-back, but the registration of the signing arrived late by less than a minute.

The club, at the time of going to press, believe that it could be resolved on Wednesday -- for better or worse -- but right now everything is all up in the air. Barça will go to FIFA to unblock the transfer in the hope of being able to close the winter transfer window with a reinforcement for the first team.

Galaxy and Barça had (have) agreed on a rather complex transfer. As explained by 'Relevo', Barça are now paying €2 million to the Californian club for 50% of the player's rights. And they would then pay another €2 million for 40% (Galaxy keeps 10% of the rights).

Of course, Barça can back out at the end of the season, so it would be like a loan. Araujo is a young player who will be registered with Barça Atletic. And although he will be under the orders of B team coach Rafa Márquez, the Mexican defender will also be available to Xavi Hernández for the first team, who will need a reinforcement for the right-back position after the departure of Hector Bellerín to Sporting Club.

The young California-born winger has been with the Los Angeles outfit for three seasons and was in Tata Martino's plans until the last minute to make the Tricolor's squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

At 21 years of age, Araujo knows no club other than the Galaxy, although he trained at a Barça Academy. After two appearances for the reserve team, he made the step up to the first team, where he has already made 98 appearances in three seasons, scoring one goal and providing 14 assists. His good performances attracted the attention of Barça, who had already had him in mind last summer, although in the end the operation did not take place.