In the last few years, FC Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has developed to become one of the most highly-rated center-backs in the world.
He is currently an automatic starter for Xavi, and one of his most trusted players in the squad, a status that he has earned with the passion and commitment that he puts on display every time he takes to the pitch.
These virtues of the defender have also not gone unnoticed elsewhere, and in recent months, the Uruguayan has strongly been linked with the German giants, Bayern Munich. The Bavarians unsuccessfully tried to lure Araujo away from Barcelona in the last winter window, and are now once again planning to get him in the summer.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the German champions are ready to take extreme measures to make this move a reality in the coming summer.
In addition to Araujo, Bayern also want to sign some other players like Jeremy Frimpong and Martin Zubimendi. However, such a large-scale overhaul would need a significant amount of funds, an amount as high as €200 million, as Frimpong and Zubimendi have release clauses of €40 and €60 million respectively, and Araujo’s potential arrival could cost around €100 million.
To raise this amount, as per Mundo Deportivo, Bayern are open to selling several of their current players, including Alphonso Davies, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Noussair Mazraoui, and Dayot Upamecano.
Meanwhile, Barcelona themselves have long-term plans for the center-back, which were publicly declared by Joan Laporta recently when he claimed he would sign the defender for life if circumstances allowed.
Similarly, Araujo also disclosed to the media that he was very happy at Barcelona, and his future depended on the club. Thus, he has a good chance to continue to play with the Catalan club, but the entity’s economic problems might force them to let the defender leave for a significant cash injection.
