Major U-turn as Barcelona Sporting Director intervenes in Ronald Araujo move to Juventus | OneFootball

It appeared likely that Barcelona would be forced into talks with Juventus for central defender Ronald Araujo, but Sporting Director Deco appears to have turned the situation around following talks with the Uruguayan defender.

According to MD, Araujo went into the talks with Deco on Tuesday night intent on leaving Barcelona for Juventus in the January transfer window, following a year of stalled contract talks. However the Brazilian-Portuguese has managed to persuade him that it would be best to remain at Barcelona.

Deco insisted that he should stay, and it now appears that Araujo is close to doing so. That U-turn could be accompanied by a new contract for the 25-year-old, something that could happen in the near future. Araujo’s teammates and Hansi Flick have also been key in trying to persuade him not to go.

Until his contract situation is resolved, Araujo’s future will remain somewhat in the air. His current deal expires in 2026, and Barcelona have made it clear that he must either renew his deal or they will put him up for sale. Perhaps Deco’s conversations with Araujo could lead to a compromise on that matter though.