BARÇA NEWS: Real Madrid planning shock 2023 move for Barcelona centre-back

BARÇA NEWS: Real Madrid planning shock 2023 move for Barcelona centre-back

It has not taken long for Ronald Araujo to establish himself as a mainstay at the heart of the Barcelona defence.

Signed from Boston River in 2018, the centre-back made his senior debut in 2019 under then-manager Ernesto Valverde. Since the last season, however, the Uruguayan has enjoyed a stratospheric rise in stature.

One of the best performing Barça players over the past year or so, Araujo has become a leader at the back for the Blaugrana. The 22-year-old has made 61 appearances for the Catalan giants thus far, scoring four goals in the process.

With his contract set to expire in 18 months’ time, there has been a lot of interest in the defender.

Premier League giants such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have been sniffing around the situation for a while now. And, it seems like Barcelona’s bitter rivals, Real Madrid, have also registered an interest in Araujo.

It is claimed that Los Blancos had made an attempt to land the 22-year-old back when he was still at Boston River. And, having missed out on his signing back then, the Spanish capital club are now hoping that he does not renew his contract with Barça, so that they can sign him on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.

Talks over an extension are starting to take place between the club and the player. However, in case a new contract cannot be agreed, the Blaugrana may look at offloading him in the summer rather than losing him on a free transfer 18 months down the line.

But, considering the desire and commitment that Araujo has shown to the team, it is unlikely that he would be considering the prospect of leaving Camp Nou, especially to join a direct rival.

Source: barcauniversal.com