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Barcelona sporting director Deco has refused to rule out a summer move for Ronald Araujo, though remains confident the defender will stay on at the Camp Nou for ‘many more years’.
Araujo’s future was the subject of intense speculation throughout the January transfer window, with Juventus believed to working on a deal for the centre-half.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were also credited with a strong interest and reports emanating out of Spain indicated the Gunners were plotting an ambitious bid to lure the Uruguayan away from Barcelona.
It’s understood Araujo had serious concerns over his role under Hansi Flick after returning from a long injury layoff and was open to the prospect of a new challenge, with talks stalling over a contract extension in Catalonia.
But Deco convinced Araujo to continue his stay with Barcelona and the centre-back eventually put the uncertainty over his future to bed by signing a new long-term deal, tying him to the La Liga giants until 2031.
Araujo has gone on to re-establish himself as a regular at the heart of Barca’s defence, starting three of the club’s last four league matches, and the 25-year-old will hope to continue his run in the side against Rayo Vallecano next Monday.
However, speaking to TV3, Barca chief Deco could not dismiss the possibility that Araujo may still move on at the end of the season should the player’s doubts rise to the surface again.
‘You can’t have a player who is not happy. He ends up being a problem for the team,’ the former Barcelona, Chelsea and Portugal midfielder said.
‘There are times when you might not play and that is difficult to manage.
‘We’ve talked to him about it and he was happy. If in the future he needs to change, the door is open for him to tell us.’
Deco, though, is convinced that Araujo is now fully on board with the Barcelona project and expects the Uruguay international to prove a key figure going forward under Flick.
‘I don’t think that [leaving] is what he wants. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have renewed,’ Deco added.
‘I think he will stay for many more years.’
Araujo has racked up over 150 appearances in all competitions for Barca since arriving from Uruguayan outfit Boston River back in 2018.
In that time, the defender has helped the club win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cup titles.
He has also been named in La Liga’s team of the season on two occasions, in 2021/22 and 2023/24.
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