Liverpool ready to consider €50m-plus deal for on-loan Barcelona captain – report | OneFootball

Ronald Araujo has given Liverpool an early glimpse of what he can offer, and his impressive first start against Ipswich Town could strengthen the case for a permanent transfer from Barcelona.

The Uruguay international helped Liverpool keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over Ipswich last weekend, producing a display built around the qualities that have made him such a highly regarded defender.

Araujo did not offer the same attacking threat as Jeremie Frimpong at right-back, but Liverpool gained something different on the right side of their defence: physical authority, aggression and greater security without the ball.

Now, according to The Touchline, Liverpool could eventually consider making the move permanent for a fee above €50 million.

Notably, Araujo is currently spending the season at Anfield on loan from Barcelona, with the agreement understood to include an option to buy worth around €55 million.

Araujo gives Liverpool a different option

The circumstances of Araujo’s first start were important.

Primarily a centre-back, the Barcelona loanee was asked to operate in a position where Jeremie Frimpong can provide considerably more going forward. 

Against Ipswich, Liverpool did not necessarily need that attacking output as much as they needed defensive stability and Araujo delivered exactly that.

He won more duels than any other player in the match, came out on top in the most aerial contests and recorded the joint-highest number of clearances. 

Rather than attempting to replicate Frimpong’s attacking qualities, Araujo played to his own strengths.

That gave Liverpool a more physical and conservative option on the right, something that could become useful depending on the opponent and the demands of individual matches.

Liverpool hold the key to Araujo’s future

Araujo made a strong impression in his first start for Liverpool. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The financial structure of the deal also leaves Liverpool with an important decision to make at the end of the season.

Barcelona did not receive a loan fee for Araujo, while Liverpool are covering the defender’s entire salary during his season-long stay. 

It is also understood that Araujo accepted a reduction in wages to make the move possible.

As a result, a fee north of €50m could be enough to secure a permanent deal, meaning Liverpool will have the opportunity to assess Araujo over the course of the campaign before deciding whether to commit.

Lastly, considering the circumstances and the fact that Barcelona are already looking to sign a new left-footed defender, it would be fair to say that even a €50m deal would be good enough for all parties involved.