Araujo To Bayern Munich

 

Bayern Munich will push hard to secure the signing of Barcelona's Ronald Araujo in 2024 in what is considered to be their top transfer priority.

Araujo has been long-coveted by Bayern Munich and, according to AS, the Bavarian giants are prepared to stump up €80 million (£69m/$88m) to land him this year. The German champions are set to try everything they can to sign the Uruguayan defender and have taken steps towards doing so. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel considers Araujo a priority and called the defender to persuade him to join. However, a deal appears unlikely to materialise this month, with Eric Dier's signing a potential stop-gap.

Barcelona have yet to change their stance on Araujo who is considered an integral part of the team and not for sale. However, with Barcelona's finances under consistent scrutiny, they may find themselves forced into a decision.

Some statistics of Ronaldo Araujo

Born to a Uruguayan father and a Brazilian mother in Rivera, a city near the Brazil border,[7][8][9] Araújo joined Rentistas from hometown club Huracán de Rivera.[10] He made his senior debut with the former on 24 September 2016, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 Segunda División away win against Tacuarembó.

Araújo scored his first senior goal on 9 December 2016, netting the equaliser in a 2–2 home draw against Central Español. He became a regular starter during the 2017 season, and scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 away win over Villa Española on 17 June of that year.[11]

It was at Rentistas that Araújo made the significant switch in position from forward to defender.[12]

Boston River

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On 28 July 2017, Araújo joined Primera División side Boston River.[13] He made his debut in the category on 18 September, replacing Maximiliano Sigales late into a 1–0 home success over El Tanque Sisley.[14]

Barcelona

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On 29 August 2018, Araújo signed a five-year contract with FC Barcelona for a fee of €1.7 million, plus €3.5 million in variables; he was initially assigned to the reserves in Segunda División B.[15] He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 6 October of the following year, coming off the bench to replace Jean-Clair Todibo in the 73rd minute of a 4–0 home win against Sevilla; however, he was sent off in the 86th minute for tackling Javier Hernández.[16]

For the 2020–21 season, Araújo was promoted to the main squad, being handed the number 4 jersey, which was previously worn by Ivan Rakitić.[17] On 19 December 2020, he scored his first La Liga goal for Barcelona in a 2–2 home draw against Valencia.[4]

On 20 March 2022, Araújo scored his first goal in El Clásico, heading in a corner from Ousmane Dembélé in a 4–0 away victory against the league leaders at Santiago Bernabéu.[18]

For the first 21 league games of the 2022–23 season, Araújo formed a defensive partnership alongside Andreas Christensen and occasionally Jules Koundé at centre-back, helping Barcelona keep the most clean sheets (16) in all of Europe's top 5 leagues. [19]

On 21 July 2023, Barcelona announced Araújo as the club's third captain.[20] On 4 November 2023, he scored his first goal of the 2023–24 season in the 92nd minute of stoppage time in a 1–0 away win over Real Sociedad.[21]