Barcelona issue ultimatum to club captain over future – two options presented | OneFootball

Ronald Araujo has emerged as one of FC Barcelona’s most important players over the past few seasons and was even elevated to the status of a club captain in the campaign gone by.

Indeed, the Uruguayan international was Barça’s third captain this past season behind Sergi Roberto and Marc-Andre ter Stegen and could be bumped up a place as the former could be on his way out.

However, Araujo himself is staring at an uncertain future at Barcelona, as concerns grow over his situation due to the silence from himself and his camp over the club’s renewal offer.

Barcelona will ‘not go crazy’ to retain Araujo

Now, SPORT’s David Bernabeu Reverter has come forward with an update on the situation surrounding Araujo and his future at Barcelona.

Araujo’s current contract expires in 2026 and has a €1 billion release clause, and the defender is attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

The 25-year-old hopes to see an improvement on his current salary and Barcelona have tabled a new contract proposal with higher wages.

Barcelona want to keep Araujo, but not at any cost. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

However, the Catalans are also clear that they will ‘not go crazy’ in their bid to keep hold of the defender owing to the financial situation.

Two options presented to Araujo

As such, Barcelona have informed Araujo that he must make an effort to renew as the club will be unable to match the financial offers presented by his other suitors.

The Blaugrana have conveyed to the 25-year-old that they consider him an important player and want to keep counting on him.

At the same time, they have made it clear to the player that his renewal offer has no room for manoeuvre. As such, he must make a financial sacrifice and accept it.

If not, then the second option presented to Araujo is that he brings in an offer worth around €90-100 million from one of his suitors, through which Barcelona can go ahead and offload him.

The club officials are expected to meet Araujo’s agents soon and expect to hear a response from them, one way or the other.