Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their interest in Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo as they plot their approach for the summer transfer window.
Araujo is out of contract with Barcelona in June 2023 and has attracted the attention of several top European clubs with his recent performances.
Barca are keen to tie the 23-year-old defender down to a new deal, but negotiations have dragged on throughout the season.
He has been a key player for the Spanish side this season, making 30 appearances across all competitions at the heart of defence.
Yet he remains on the terms of the five-year deal he signed way back in 2018 and has reportedly rejected two fresh offers from Barcelona.
Spanish newspaper Sport reports that the sluggish nature of talks between the club and the Uruguayan’s representatives has alerted United and Paris Saint-Germain to his potential availability.
Araujo reportedly wants a contract befitting his nature in the team and, although he is happy playing for Xavi, he is aware that United and PSG would pay much higher wages.
The fact Barcelona signed up two of their other young stars – Pedri and Ansu Fati – to new contracts back in October has not gone unnoticed by Araujo.
United are understood to be willing to pay a substantial transfer fee this summer, as well as a high salary, to attract the young defender to Old Trafford.
The possibility of Araujo moving to United in the summer was given further fuel by recent reports that the defender is having regular English lessons in case he gets a transfer.
The timing of the developments is interesting given Harry Maguire’s recent struggles at the heart of Ralf Rangnick’s defence.
United picked up a 3-2 win over Tottenham to move back into fourth place in the Premier League on Saturday, but they needed an inspired performance from Cristiano Ronaldo to get the points.
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Ronaldo scored a wonderful hat-trick to help his side bounce back from the 4-1 derby defeat at the hands of Manchester City last weekend, but the United defence was once again ropey.
Alex Telles conceded a penalty – which Harry Kane scored – for a handball, while Maguire netted an own goal from Sergio Reguilon’s cross to make it 2-2 in the second half.
Maguire has struggled for consistency this season, with two minor injuries contributing to his poor form.
As a result, the United captain has been unable to establish a regular partnership with summer arrival Raphael Varane, who himself has had injury problems.
United have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight matches in all competitions and face a huge test against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Rangnick’s side come into the Champions League last-16 second leg with the score at 1-1 thanks to Anthony Elanga’s late goal in Madrid.
Maguire will be hoping to put in a more solid performance, because it seems his club are already eyeing up potential replacements for the summer.
