Over the past few days, there have been various claims in the Spanish press discussing Manchester United’s interest in Ronald Araújo.
At the weekend, Sport came out with a report stating that Barcelona are aware the Red Devils have made contact with the defender. Three days ago, we covered claims made by Marca that United informed the 22-year-old ‘how far’ they are willing to go to sign him.
On Wednesday, Mundo Deportivo stated the Manchester club are ‘on pole’ to take the centre-back, as his current deal expires in 2023 and Xavi Hernández admitted that renewing the Uruguay international’s contract is a “priority” for the Catalan club.
Sport state the player earns €900,000 per year, and while there has been ‘first talk’ between his agent and the La Liga side, there is still difference between supply and demand.
The South American wants a salary similar to the one offered to Ansu Fati or Pedri. Barca, however, offered ‘significantly lower’ than the €6m per year requested by Araújo’s camp, with some sources telling Sport the Blaugrana offered €3m, but in no case was this a ‘definitive offer’.
The central defender will not renew and hopes that in the coming days, there will be a formal offer, which would include a salary proposal close to the one he had requested for.
Araújo and his entourage have a good relationship with Barcelona, and have explained to the club about the ‘interest the player arouses in the Premier League’.
The Old Trafford club get a mention as Sport say United are ‘willing to sign him’ next summer if he does not renew his contract with the Spanish club.
If Xavi’s side decide not to come close to the salary requested by the player, then Araújo could assume Barca plan to place him in the market, meaning the coming weeks will be decisive as to how this case develops.
