Ronald Araujo costly red card could open door to Man Utd summer transfer

Barcelona are reportedly willing to sell Manchester United target Ronald Araujo this summer amid the club's ongoing financial woes.

Araujo has become a key player for Barcelona since breaking into their first-team in the 2019/20 campaign, having now made almost 150 appearances for the club. However, his time at the Nou Camp could come to an end this summer with both United and Bayern Munich interested in his services.

According to a report from Spanish outlet Sport, Araujo is no longer considered an 'untouchable' and Barcelona 'will listen to offers' for the defender. The report adds that Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, where Araujo was sent off early in the second leg, has 'left some open wounds' and created doubts about his future.

Araujo was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bradley Barcola when Barcelona were 4-2 up on aggregate. PSG went on to make the most of their numerical advantage to win the tie 6-2 and set up a semi-final clash against Borussia Dortmund.

Barcelona also view Araujo as one of their most saleable assets and believe they would have enough defensive cover should he depart following the emerge of 17-year-old prospect Pau Cubarsi.

The club believe they could bank more than €100million (£86m) for Araujo given the interest from United and Bayern. Following his red card against PSG, the 25-year-old came in for some stinging criticism from teammate Ilkay Gundogan.

"You know, in these kind of crucial moments you need to be sure to get the ball," he told CBS Sports. "If you don't, and again I don't know if he touched the ball or not, you need to stay away. I would prefer to concede a goal there or give the striker 1v1.

"Although, the ball was played quite far ahead so I don't even know if he would have reached the ball. But, maybe let our goalkeeper save us or even concede a goal because to go a player down so early on just kills your game."

And when asked about Gundogan's comments, Araujo responded: "I prefer to keep it with myself what I think about those comments. I have my codes and values that I think you need to respect."