Xavi Hernandez has said he is confident about rumoured Liverpool target Ronald Araujo signing a new contract with FC Barcelona amid links to a Premier League move.
Speaking to the press via Fabrizio Romano, the La Liga manager revealed that talks are ongoing between Barcelona and Araujo over new terms, with the Uruguay international currently at the centre of interest from numerous clubs.
The 22-year-old has been one of Barca’s best players this season, yet with Araujo’s current contract ending in 2023, clubs such as Liverpool are looking for an opportunity to sign the talented South American defender.
With a reported release clause of £167m as per Football Espana, Barcelona have a lot of saying power over how much Araujo can be sold for, and with the club eager to retain him, it isn’t too unrealistic to suggest that Liverpool should pay the full fee for the defender.
According to Sport via FCBN, Liverpool have made contact with Araujo over a potential deal, yet according to Xavi, Barcelona are working on signing the defender down to a new contract with the La Liga giants.
The Spanish manager said: “Araujo and Gavi are two very important players, they are a priority. It’s a process. Sometimes negotiations drag on. We hope for the good of the club that there is an agreement. It’s a matter of time, I think.”
Barcelona’s determination to keep Araujo could push Liverpool away
Araujo has developed into a star for Barcelona this season, which makes it no surprise that the likes of Liverpool are interested in the defender. Yet the Catalan side’s determination to keep the defender could be the deciding factor in the Uruguayan’s future.
Indeed. Araujo is happy in Barcelona and would be happy to sign a new contract, and with the club pushing hard to tie him down for the future, Liverpool could stand no chance in signing the centre-back even if the finances line up.
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