Mercato: Barca expanded Araujo … and expanded its volume to an Arab . set on
FC Barcelona have announced the extension of central defender Ronald Araujo’s contract for three additional seasons until 2026. The Uruguay international has now set its release clause at one billion euros.
FC Barcelona this Tuesday formalized the renewal of the contract of Ronald Araujo (23 years) until 2026. The central defender, who was to end his contract with the Catalan club in the summer of 2023, will extend his contract for three additional years and have a one billion euro release clause. The signing ceremony will take place this Friday at 1:30 pm on the Camp Nou Pitch in the presence of President Joan Laporta.
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English offers that didn’t weigh enough
In favor of the Catalan press, it is assured that this is what the central defender has always wanted, and after a brief stint in the reserve team, wanted to expand with the club which changed his dimension. Trained in Uruguay, CA Rentistas and Boston River, the 23-year-old Uruguayan international made the jump to Europe by joining Barca B in 2018.
Young promising in his position, he took advantage of the absence of Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti to win. Since Xavi’s arrival on the bench, he has been one of the centerpieces of Barcelona’s rearguard, alternating between the right central defender or even the right side during big games.
Having gained experience, despite his young age, Ronald Araujo was loved by many English clubs and Real Madrid, who saw it as a good opportunity for a year off the end of his contract. According to Mundo Deportivo, by renewing with Barca, he turned down lucrative offers from the Premier League, some offering twice the amount offered by Blaugranes.
Gavi and Dembele, next on the list
Finally acknowledging some of the player’s financial demands, due to a change in his status since the start of the season, the club agreed to extend him only three years, so that he could receive as much as the five initially held by the leaders. The year was planned.
FC Barcelona must still extend the contracts of Gavi, which expires in 2023, and Usman Dembele’s, which expires in the summer. The young midfielder’s file should however be completed in the wake of Araujo, with the Catalan press unanimously maintaining that the 17-year-old wants to stay at Barca despite Liverpool’s offer.