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Published January 11, 2025 11:41am Updated January 11, 2025 11:41am
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is keen to keep hold of ‘one of the best defenders’ Ronald Araujo amid transfer interest from Arsenal.
The 25-year-old has missed the vast majority of the season so far due to a serious hamstring injury but has now returned to fitness.
However, it is taking time to make his way back into the Barca starting XI, with just one appearances so far coming in the Copa del Rey against UD Barbastro last weekend.
The Uruguayan was twice on the substitutes’ bench in La Liga matches in December, but did not make it onto the pitch.
Araujo is into the last 18 months of his contract and reports in Spain suggested Barcelona would listen to offers for them if they arrived this month.
Juventus have been linked with a loan move for the defender, while Arsenal are also thought to be considering a bid this month.
Flick is not keen on the idea of letting Araujo leave, though, glad to have him back and available again after serious injury.
‘I want Araujo in my team because he is one of the best defenders,’ Flick said. ‘He’s a professional and is now fit, having recovered from his injury, so he can help us.’
He added: ‘I have told the team: there is only outside noise, you have to be cohesive and strong. It’s a great season, we’ve done well in general, although we haven’t reached the points we wanted.
‘It’s good to learn from all the games and this is the objective. We have to be focused. We played well for the club and we can do better. It’s what we want.’
A report from Mundo Deportivo stated that Araujo is interested in a move to the Premier League this month and has been open with his team-mates in the Barcelona dressing room that he is strongly considering a January exit.
It’s claimed Araujo has always been ‘curious’ and ‘interested’ about testing himself in the Premier League, with the football played by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal appearing well suited to the Uruguay international.
Barcelona face Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Araujo was on the bench for the win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday to set up the Clasico final, but was not brought on.
The defender 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.
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