Barcelona sporting director Deco has refused to rule out a summer move for Ronald Araujo, though stays confident the defender will stay on on the Camp Nou for ‘many more years’.
Araujo’s future was the topic of intense speculation throughout the January transfer window, with Juventus believed to working on a deal for the centre-half.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were also credited with a powerful interest and reports emanating out of Spain indicated the Gunners were plotting an ambitious bid to lure the Uruguayan away from Barcelona.
It’s understood Araujo had serious concerns over his role under Hansi Flick after getting back from an extended injury layoff and was open to the prospect of a brand new challenge, with talks stalling over a contract extension in Catalonia.
But Deco convinced Araujo to proceed his stick with Barcelona and the centre-back eventually put the uncertainty over his future to bed by signing a brand new long-term deal, tying him to the La Liga giants until 2031.
Araujo has gone on to re-establish himself as an everyday at the center of Barca’s defence, starting three of the club’s last 4 league matches, and the 25-year-old will hope to proceed his run within the side against Rayo Vallecano next Monday.
Nevertheless, chatting with TV3, Barca chief Deco couldn’t dismiss the chance that Araujo should still move on at the top of the season should the player’s doubts rise to the surface again.
‘You may’t have a player who isn’t pleased. He finally ends up being an issue for the team,’ the previous Barcelona, Chelsea and Portugal midfielder said.
‘There are occasions if you may not play and that’s difficult to administer.
‘We’ve talked to him about it and he was pleased. If in the long run he needs to vary, the door is open for him to inform us.’
Deco, though, is convinced that Araujo is now fully on board with the Barcelona project and expects the Uruguay international to prove a key figure going forward under Flick.
‘I don’t think that [leaving] is what he wants. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have renewed,’ Deco added.
‘I believe he’ll stay for a lot of more years.’
Araujo has racked up over 150 appearances in all competitions for Barca since arriving from Uruguayan outfit Boston River back in 2018.
In that point, the defender has helped the club win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cup titles.
He has also been named in La Liga’s team of the season on two occasions, in 2021/22 and 2023/24.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Arsenal confirm brutal extent of Kai Havertz injury that might run into next season
MORE: Nottingham Forest injury updates including Callum Hudson-Odoi and Taiwo Awoniyi
MORE: Everton and Liverpool condemn racist abuse directed at Abdoulaye Doucoure
