Barcelona captain’s release clause will drop to €70 million during ten day ‘golden period’ next month | OneFootball

Ronald Araujo was close to leaving Barcelona this January towards the end of the Spanish Super Cup, and everything appeared to be set for his departure to Juventus at the time.

Persuasion from his teammates and an untimely injury to Inigo Martinez, however, made him reconsider his decision, and the player not only stayed at the club but even signed a renewal until 2031.

As per the terms of his new contract, the player’s release clause is set at a staggering €1 billion. However, there was news of a provision for him to leave this summer should the right offer come in, and MARCA reveals the exact clause in the deal.

Ten golden days

The captain has a ten day window to leave the club through his release clause. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

As advanced by the Spanish outlet, Araujo’s contract has a special clause by which his release clause drops to just €70 million this summer should he be interested in leaving the club. That offer, however, is only open from July 1st to July 10th.

The ten-day window, thus, presents Europe’s elite with a chance to sign one of the best defenders in the world, who is not a regular starter at his club at the moment, for a bargain price given the current market inflation. Araujo, however, has not set his mind on leaving.

While the Uruguayan did indeed have doubts over his future in January when such a clause was discussed, the report clarifies that he is not thinking of a departure as it stands.

In fact, he has returned to Barcelona after a vacation and his marriage, and has even asked to return to training two weeks before the official start of Hansi Flick’s pre-season.

Araujo’s saga, thus, can only end in one of two results – either he leaves Barcelona in exchange for a significant sum in their coffers, or he will continue at the club for another season at least before deciding his future.

For the Blaugrana, both outcomes will work out well. Given the need for space on the wage bill and the FFP front, a sale would also be great for Joan Laporta and Co., especially since they have identified the centre-back department as one with surplus resources.