Revealed: Why Liverpool have major doubts about signing Ronald Araujo from Barcelona | OneFootball

Ronald Araujo has made a fantastic start to life at Liverpool, following his summer move from Barcelona. The Uruguayan defender joined the Anfield club on a season-long loan, which does include an option for the Premier League giants to sign him permanently for €55m.

Araujo was brought to Liverpool to provide competition in central defence, but he has found success in Andoni Iraola’s system as a right-back. He’s already established himself as a regular starter, and with the club’s supporters already considered him as a cult hero, it has looked likely that he could stay in Merseyside on a permanent basis.

However, it will not be that straightforward, even if Araujo carries on his form for the remainder of the 2026-27 season. According to Liverpool Echo (via Sport), Liverpool’s ownership group have reservations about signing the 27-year-old for the price that has been set by Barcelona.

Liverpool consider Araujo too old for big-money move

As Liverpool’s majority shareholders, Fenway Sports Group will have a big say in the English club’s transfer plans. While they have been pleased with Araujo’s performances at the start of his time at Anfield, they have concerns about signing him permanently – this is largely due to him not having a “great projection in the market”, especially when they know that it would take €55m to secure his services from Barcelona.

In FSG’s eyes, €55m for a 27-year-old central defender is not considered to be good business, as it would likely not allow Liverpool to make their money back on him in the future. Should this stance remain in place in the lead-up to next summer, it would be difficult for a deal to be done at that price – and that is bad news for Barcelona, as the current terms are very favourable for them, given that Araujo would not be in Hansi Flick’s plans if he returned in 2027.