Arsenal target Ronald Araujo tells Barcelona team-mates his transfer ‘priority’
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Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Ronald Araujo, with the defender ‘prioritising’ a move to the Premier League should he decide to leave Barcelona. Araujo has made over 150 appearances in all competitions for Barca since joining from Uruguayan outfit Boston River for a fee of just £1.5million back in 2017.
![[FC Barcelona Training Before Champions League Match Against Brest]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2185960316.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The centre-back made an immediate impression upon arrival and was promoted from the reserve team the following year, going on to establish himself as a regular at the heart of the club’s defence. A serious hamstring problem meant Araujo missed the first half of this season and he made his long-awaited return in Barca’s 4-0 victory over Barbastro in the Copa del Rey last weekend.
![[UD Barbastro v FC Barcelona - Copa del Rey Round of 32]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192782199.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
However, Araujo’s lengthy injury layoff means he is yet to win the trust of head coach Hansi Flick and a sense of uncertainty has been growing over the Uruguayan’s future, with talks over an extension at a standstill. Flick has landed on a settled centre-back partnership in Paul Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez and Araujo faces a tough task in winning his place back in Barca’s starting XI.
Araujo current contract is due to expire in 18 months’ time and Barca are prepared to listen to offers for the centre-half should he continue to stall over a renewal. The La Liga giants would be reluctant to accept a loan deal this winter but ‘will not close the door’ on a permanent transfer should they receive a ‘very considerable and irresistible’ offer, according to Mundo Deportivo, with Arsenal lining up a bid.
