Liverpool target Ronald Araujo has reportedly rejected the offer of a contract extension at Barcelona.
The 22-year-old central defender has been linked with the Reds in recent weeks and this latest update could open the door for a swoop.
https://twitter.com/TalksAnfield/status/1483139463538696192
Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be ‘on alert’ to the situation as Araujo considers a future away from the Camp Nou.
That’s according to a report from Spanish outlet Marca claiming that the Uruguay international has ‘swiftly turned down’ a contract extension with the Catalan giants.
The same report does state that the two parties are ‘expected to return’ to the negotiations as Barcelona attempt to tie down the five-cap ace.
This season Araujo – described as ‘powerful’ by Gerard Pique – has scored twice in 16 La Liga outings.
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Valued at £31.5million and under contract in Spain until 2023 (Transfermarkt), signing the Uruguayan would still be an expensive venture for the Reds in the summer.
Capable of playing on either side as a full-back and possessing an array of crucial attributes to be a top-level defender, Araujo certainly has the wherewithal to thrive in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
However, with the strength in depth of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate already in situ on Merseyside, spending big on a centre-back anytime soon seems unlikely.
