Arsenal and Chelsea now appear unlikely to be making a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, with his agent suggesting that he is ‘really close’ to penning a new deal at the Camp Nou. The Uruguayan’s original contract is set to expire next summer, with it being suggested that a number of clubs in the Premier League were interested in making a move.
London duo Arsenal and Chelsea were reported to be amongst those, whilst Liverpool and Manchester United were also credited as admirers. It was even further suggested that a number of clubs had lodged an offer for his services. However, it has now been confirmed by Araujo’s agent, Flavio Perchman, that an extended stay in Spain is edging ever closer.
As quoted by ESPN, he said: "It's [new contract] close. There is a desire on both sides [to finalise the renewal] and Ronald wants to stay at the club."
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Those suggestions have also been confirmed by the current hierarchy at the Camp Nou. Director Mateu Alemany has suggested that a meeting between the two parties left him optimistic regarding Araujo’s future.
He said: “It has been a good meeting - there’s a very good feeling on both sides, club and player, to proceed in the talks."
It appears that Barcelona have put plenty of faith in the young Uruguayan in an effort to fight off interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. As per reports from Mundo Deportivo, his new deal is set to run until the summer of 2026 and will include a £1billion release clause.
Whilst Arsenal will certainly be feeling slightly disappointed having failed to secure the signature of the promising defender, Barcelona could yet make Chelsea’s summer business even more uncomfortable. Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are out of contract this summer and have been strongly linked with switches to Spain.
Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele is reportedly among the players that the Blues are interested in ahead of the summer window opening, with his own Barcelona contract set to expire. Due to a hot run of form though, it has been suggested that Xavi will look to commit the French wideman to a new deal - frustrating the Blues even further.
