FC Barcelona has placed a €60 million price tag on their star player, signaling openness to a potential transfer.
This signals to world soccer that Barcelona is open to selling the player for a suitable fee, which is consistent with their attempts to stabilize their finances.
The potential sale is reportedly agreed by the board and manager Hansi Flick, who are now looking for ways to restock the squad to suit Financial Fair Play.
The player in question is Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan center-back has been an important part of Barcelona’s defensive group, and his leadership and ability to play in various positions were well-admired by the football experts in Spain, according to Fichajes.
As valuable as the player has been for the squad, Barcelona’s financial pressures alongside Hansi Flick’s plan to play a different tactical style of defensive football has led them to find ways to reshape the roster – Araujo is an expendable option despite being so good for the organization.
Interest from top-level clubs, including AC Milan, Manchester United, and Chelsea, has been growing, and the €60 million price tag is a considerable incentive for those clubs to be willing to negotiate.
If Araujo sold for that price, it is believed that Barcelona would be able to forefront their cash reserves to acquire their different tactical targets, such as Nico Williams, and have easier management of their wage bill.
Views in the club are opposed. Some executives place importance on Araujo’s defensive capabilities and loyalty, and they want him to stay; While some executives are in favour of Araujo leaving, as it would provide a financially beneficial sale.
Araujo is settled at Barcelona and is liked by the fans, so he is not actively trying to leave but is open to options that would be beneficial to his career.
As the summer window heats up, Araujo’s future will become a talking point.
Barcelona’s readiness to negotiate and make an offer of €60m demonstrates their pragmatic approach to squad renewal, while also financial recovery, which allows them to remain competitive while trying to rectify their economy.
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