Barcelona join Cristian Romero race after offloading Ronald Araujo | OneFootball

Now that Ronald Araujo is leaving to join Liverpool on a season-long loan, Barcelona have started working on a replacement. The club was clear that a new central defender would only arrive if someone left, and the Uruguayan on his way out, it opens the door for Hansi Flick to get another option for his squad.

With Barcelona going all-in for Rodri, it was expected that a centre-back would not be signed this summer, especially with no outgoings. However, Araujo’s exit has opened the door, and it is one that the Catalans intend to walk through, with candidates already being lined up to replace the club captain.

Earlier in the summer, Cristian Romero was a player that Barcelona had lined up for a move, although nothing has come to fruition due to their inability to move someone on. That gave Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid a big advantage in their own pursuits of the Argentina international, but the Catalans could now be set to take charge.

According to Doble Amarilla, Barcelona have entered the race to sign Romero, and this has prompted the defender to pause all negotiations involving Atleti and Inter. His desire has always been to end up at the Spotify Camp Nou, and his wish could now be about to come true.

Romero will leave Spurs this summer

Earlier in the summer, it was decided that Romero would not be staying at Tottenham Hotspur. Arrangements have been made for him to be sold, and while Atleti are currently leading the race after agreeing personal terms with the 28-year-old, the emergence of Barcelona will through everything into the unknown.

Romero would be an excellent signing for Barcelona. It’s clear that Flick’s side lacked experience in defence last season, and he would be an ideal player to solve that issue for the 2026-27 campaign and beyond.