Barcelona put Man Utd’s top target up for sale

Carlo Garganese

• 23 Apr 2024 11:30 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have made Ronald Araujo available for sale this summer as they need to raise funds.

That is according to Sport, who report that Barcelona recognise that Araujo is the asset who will bring in the most money this summer through a sale.

Barcelona believe they can raise over €80 million through the sale, which will go a long way to helping pay off the debts amidst the Blaugrana’s well-publicised financial problems of the last few years.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

Sport reports that there are multiple teams interested in signing Araujo, including Manchester United, who have made the Uruguayan their top target for the centre of the defence.

United will sign at least one centre back this summer as a number of stoppers are set to leave. Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans see their contracts expire, while the futures of Victor Lindelof and Maguire are at risk.

Barcelona also expect Bayern Munich to make a bid this summer.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

Bayern Munich also will sign a central defender in the summer, with their current crop having all disappointed in 2023-24.

Sport also report that Araujo’s high-profile error in the Champions League exit to PSG is not a reason why Barcelona are ready to sell.

Araujo conceded a penalty and a red card while Barcelona were two goals ahead in the tie, leading to PSG launching a comeback to eliminate the Catalans.

Araujo buyout clause

Araujo has a contract at Barcelona until 2026, with a buyout clause inserted into his deal worth a staggering €1 billion.

The 24-year-old Uruguay international has established himself as a regular at Camp Nou, featuring on 147 occasions for the first team since arriving from Boston River in 2020.

However, he has also been hit by a number of injuries during his time at Barca.

Araujo has won one La Liga, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de Espana during his time at Barcelona.

He has been capped 16 times by the Uruguay national team and he travelled to the 2022 World Cup but did not play due to injury.