How Man Utd could snap up Barca's most promising defender for very little this summer
FT Desk
- 19 Mar 2022 11:35 CDT
- 5 min read
Manchester United’s season already seems to be over, despite there being plenty of football left to play before May.
Ralf Rangnick’s side have been knocked out of both domestic cups and were given their marching orders by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.
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If the German manager can hold on to his interim role at the club before the season finishes, it seems as though all he and his team have left to play for is a spot in the top four and the promises that come with Champions League football.
However, even if Man Utd can nail down a top four finish, some major surgery will be needed on this team and it should start in defence.
Man Utd target Barca defender
While the Old Trafford club have had to pay top price for defenders in the past, they may have some luck this year as they turn their attentions to a promising talent in Spain.
According to Sport, the Premier League giants are hoping to coax Barcelona central defender Ronald Araujo to the English top flight next season, after his impressive performances for Ronald Koeman and now Xavi’s side.
Although Araujo is one of the most highly regarded defenders in La Liga this season, he could be signed for a knock-down price if the player has made indications that he’d prefer a move to England over staying put at Barca.
That’s largely to do with Araujo’s contract situation with the Catalan giants. After signing a five-year deal upon joining the club in 2018, the defender’s current contract is set to expire next year.
According to the Spanish publication, Barca have struggled to convince their Uruguay international to sign an extension, which could mean they have to cash in on him this summer for fear of losing him for free 12 months later.
As such, Man Utd may be able to snap up a talented central defender that can also play at right-back for a cut-down price this summer.
