Barcelona’s €70 million-rated star open to negotiating renewal but ‘not at any price’

Recent reports from Adrian Fernandez in SPORT indicate that Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is willing to discuss a contract renewal with the club. However, he has made it clear that he is not to negotiate at any price. 

The Uruguayan defender, currently sidelined with an injury, has a contract with Barcelona that runs until 2026 and for the club, extending his contract is crucial. 

It is important to secure his future to avoid the uncertainty of him potentially entering what could be his final season without a new agreement in place. At present, both parties have not taken the decisive steps needed to advance the renewal process. 

Barcelona do not want to lose Araujo

The club’s sporting management has stated that they do not intend to place Araujo on the transfer market. However, their economic management team seems to have different plans. 

This misalignment in interests has created a standoff between Araujo and Barcelona. While the defender is open to negotiations, he is firm about not settling for just any offer.

Ronald Araujo is open to a contract extension. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)

Talks regarding his future were already underway last summer, just before he sustained his injury. At that point, discussions about extending his contract or a possible transfer were put on hold. 

Will there be a resolution?

The resolution of this situation is expected to take place in January when the winter transfer window opens, which is the timeline within which he is expected to return from injury. 

Ideally, Barcelona should refrain from entertaining offers for Araujo during this period. However, the situation may change by the end of the season, depending on how negotiations progress between the club and the player.

Nevertheless, Barcelona’s management needs to ensure that they prioritize his value and contribution to the team, as any decisions made in the coming months could significantly impact both the player and the club. 

Player valuation in the title obtained from transfermarkt.com on the date of publication.