Liverpool ‘ready to pay’ £43.5m to sign Barcelona star | OneFootball

Liverpool Ready to Launch €50m Move for Ronald Araujo

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to step up their pursuit of defensive reinforcements in January with a €50 million offer for Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, according to Fichajes.

Araujo’s Uncertain Role in Barcelona

The 26-year-old Uruguay international signed a contract until 2031 but has seen his status under Hansi Flick questioned. Fichajes stated: “Although he started the season as a starter, he quickly lost prominence due to the emergence of Pau Cubarsí and the experience of Íñigo Martínez.”

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Araujo has featured in over 140 matches for Barcelona, earning praise for his aerial ability and physical presence, but his lack of consistent minutes has prompted speculation about a potential move away. This could make a switch to the Premier League more appealing for the player.

Liverpool’s Defensive Priorities

Liverpool’s interest is driven by a clear need. The club’s hierarchy sees Araujo as a player capable of strengthening the back line, particularly after frustrations in landing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

Photo: IMAGO

According to Fichajes, “the Reds would be willing to offer €50 million in January,” a figure that represents a significant investment but one that could be justified given the demands of competing across multiple competitions.

Chelsea and Tottenham are also keeping tabs, while Real Madrid’s reported interest could force Barcelona into a decision sooner rather than later. The Spanish club’s financial pressures are well known, and an offer of this size could prove tempting.

Barcelona’s Dilemma

Barcelona are navigating a tricky balancing act between sporting needs and financial realities. “The need for liquidity and the fact that he is not a regular under Flick increase the chances that the board will listen to proposals.”

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Should Liverpool succeed, Araujo would offer a complementary option to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, adding depth and competition. But there are no guarantees about his starting role, which could be a consideration for the player himself.

Intense Market Battle

The winter window could see a battle between several European heavyweights for Araujo’s signature. For Liverpool, the pursuit is part of a wider defensive rebuild and a desire to keep pace at the top of both the Premier League and Champions League.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This report feels like another transfer saga that may ultimately come to nothing. €50 million is a substantial figure, but Barcelona’s financial demands could still be higher, particularly with other clubs monitoring Araujo. There will be a natural concern over whether this is the most effective use of funds in January.

Some supporters will argue that investing heavily in a centre-back who might not be guaranteed a starting spot is a risk, particularly with Van Dijk and Konaté already in place. Others will worry that Liverpool are being used to generate market interest in Araujo and force a higher bid from elsewhere.

If the deal happens, it could be transformative, but there remains a question over whether Liverpool will push past their historically cautious January spending habits. Until there is concrete movement, some fans will keep their excitement in check.