Barcelona consider only two centre-backs as non-transferable, open to offers for three stars

News of Ronald Araujo’s possible departure is gathering steam in Barcelona and it is safe to say that the Uruguayan has never been closer to leaving the club.

The centre-back, after all, was an undisputed starter and captain for the club even just 12 months ago and it is shocking to see him at the exit door. Yet, that is what six months out of action can do to a player.

While Araujo was indeed untransferable for Barcelona, the rise of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez, first as individual players and as a pairing, was enough to send him down the pecking order. Now, his future is uncertain.

Only two untransferable names

As relayed in a recent update by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona only consider Cubarsi and Martinez to be non-transferable centre-backs in the squad. 

Hansi Flick is indeed blessed with umpteen resources in the department, from Ronald Araujo to Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia all players capable of being regular starters.

In fact, the manager is against any of the names leaving the club as they highly value the depth of the department with such a hectic schedule coming up.

The economic situation of the club, however, forces the club to rethink their stance and the Catalans have thus declared Garcia, Christensen and Araujo as transferable.

Notably, Jules Kounde is also likely on the non-transferable list but has been excluded from the category as he has established himself as a first-choice right-back rather than centre-back.

The door is open for all three players to leave in January, but the club will try hard to ensure that at least two stay to provide depth to the department.

All signs point to Araujo being the one to depart, especially if he does not start against Real Madrid.

The Uruguayan has options to join Juventus or the Premier League this month while Garcia is on the radar of Girona. Christensen, still not given the medical green light, may well stay until the summer.