The right-back position at FC Barcelona has been constantly in the news throughout the summer transfer window. These news were mainly related to the new signings that Barcelona are aiming to make to this position, with players like Joao Cancelo and Ivan Fresneda being linked with the club.
However, the Catalans also had to offload the right-backs that they currently had in the squad, and whom Xavi was not counting upon for this season due to various reasons.
The Catalans announced today the departure of Sergino Dest on loan to PSV Eindhoven, but they had sent another right-back, Julian Araujo, on loan too, earlier this summer.
Julian Araujo on loan at Las Palmas
Julian Araujo was sent on loan to Las Palmas this summer, with the club aiming to provide the right-back with experience of playing in La Liga before he can be incorporated at a club as big as FC Barcelona.
The player arrived to Barcelona from LA Galaxy in the winter transfer window this year, but could not play a single competitive minute with Barcelona as he could not be registered in time.
An impressive outing against Valencia
Now SPORT reports that the fullback has had an impressive outing with Las Palmas. The player could not play even a minute in the opening match of his team against Mallorca last week, but the Las Palmas coach, Garcia Pimienta, played him for the entire second half in their last match against Valencia.
Prior to his substitution, Alvaro Lemos was playing as Las Palmas’ right-back, but he struggled with coping with the Jose Gaya and Diego Lopez pairing, who wreaked havoc on his flank. In such a scenario, Pimienta decided to bet on Araujo, and this proved to be a good bet in the end.
Araujo also contributed significantly to his team’s attack, and also took some shots on goal despite playing as a defender. Thus, it is expected that Pimienta will give Araujo his first start in the upcoming game against Real Sociedad on Friday.
Barcelona will be keeping an eye on his development, and if everything goes as planned, the Catalans will have a competent substitute for Joao Cancelo from next season, as they are getting near to signing the Portuguese fullback on loan this summer with a purchase option.
