Barcelona defender’s future could depend on the minutes he gets in pre-season – report | OneFootball

Ronald Araujo is entering his seventh season as a Barcelona player with plenty to prove. The 27-year-old centre-back finished last season with limited involvement and is now looking to convince Hansi Flick that he still has an important role to play in the squad.

However, the current picture is far from straightforward. Flick has shown a clear preference for Gerard Martin, Pau Cubarsí and Eric Garcia in central defence, while Andreas Christensen has also signed a new contract at the coach’s request.

Pre-season could shape his future

Given the situation, coupled with the fact that Barcelona have been showing an interest in Aymeric Laporte, there have been some question marks about Araujo’s future at the club.

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, once Barcelona’s remaining international players return and pre-season progresses, Araujo’s future is likely to become clearer.

Future uncertain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Much may depend on the amount of playing time he receives during the pre-season friendly matches.

Although he remains under contract until June 2031, the Uruguayan will have to decide whether to continue fighting for his place at Barcelona or consider a move elsewhere in search of regular first-team football.

Currently on individual training

Araujo returned from his post-World Cup holiday last Monday, still recovering from the injury he sustained during a training session with Uruguay, which ruled him out of the tournament in the United States.

The defender has been training individually since his return, although he has recently resumed outdoor work on the pitch as he continues the final stages of his rehabilitation.

Will Araujo stay or leave? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

As a result, he was not available for selection for the first pre-season friendly of the summer against CE Europa on Friday night.

Barcelona expect Araujo to travel with the squad to England on Monday for the club’s pre-season training camp, where the plan is for him to rejoin full group training in the coming days.

The Blaugrana play two friendly fixtures against Birmingham City and Preston North End during their stay in England.

They are scheduled to face Udinese and Nottingham Forest a week later in Italy, before concluding the pre-season with the Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly.

Depending on his involvement in these matches, Araujo could decide whether to stay at Barcelona or leave in search of regular playing time.

As far as Barcelona are concerned, they will not stand in the way of the Uruguayan international if he were ask to leave, thus keeping the door open for a summer exit.