Chelsea are one of several sides interested in a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo next summer.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who say his agents have received ‘very interesting’ offers for the defender, mostly from the Premier League.
The newspaper explains that while muscular problems have limited the Barca man this season, he still has many suitors and clubs who are following him ‘closely’.
There are several suitors in England, particularly Chelsea, where it is felt that his physical characteristics makes him a very attractive centre back for English football.
His ‘power, defensive and aerial play, speed, strength’ are all ‘ingredients’ that make him an ideal player for the Premier League.
Chelsea are keen as they could lose three of their centre backs next summer, with Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christiansen all out of contract.
So far, they are yet to renew, and so Chelsea will need to make a ‘big outlay’ and ‘bet heavily’ on Araujo to ensure they have a centre back for now and the future.
They have some work to do to convince the player, though, whose ‘priority’ is Barcelona. He is happy at the club and in Barcelona, where his first daughter was born last month.
Barcelona also consider him a key player for the future, and although they haven’t opened talks for a new deal yet, that is certainly in the pipeline.
