Arsenal now interested in ‘extraordinary’ Barcelona player

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Arsenal are showing an interest in Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo amid rising speculation suggesting that he could be on the move.

Barcelona have been underwhelming this season and sit fourth in La Liga, seven points shy of league leaders Girona.

Xavi is under increasing pressure having struggled to build on last season’s title win, and the last thing he needs is to lose a key player.

That could happen though as defender Ronald Araujo is attracting major interest from Bayern Munich – and Arsenal are in the mix too.

Arsenal interested in signing Ronald Araujo

90min report that intermediaries have been speaking to Bayern Munich about a big 2024 move for Araujo.

Bayern are keen to land defensive reinforcements and Thomas Tuchel hasn’t played down rumours that he called Araujo to discuss a move to Bavaria.

Araujo doesn’t like playing as a right back, preferring to play in a more central role, and publicly stated that stance earlier this month.

Bayern may hope to get a deal done but it’s added that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all fans of Araujo.

Barcelona want to stand firm and keep Araujo at the Camp Nou but with mounting interest from Bayern and Premier League clubs, they may face a battle.

Araujo would be an enormous capture for Arsenal

It’s unclear whether Arsenal actually intend to make a move for Araujo, but fans could get excited about such a signing.

Barca boss Xavi has hailed Araujo as ‘extraordinary’ and he has emerged as one of the top young defenders in Europe.

Only 24, Araujo has plenty of experience with Barcelona and is a regular for the Uruguay national team.

Strong and possessing great pace, Araujo should become one of the world’s very best in the coming years – but his exact role at Arsenal would seem unclear.

Araujo doesn’t want to play at right back and would ideally play on the right side of a centre back pairing.

That is William Saliba’s role and the Frenchman isn’t going to be replaced any time soon, so Mikel Arteta would likely have to go with two right-footed centre backs.

This would perhaps be something of a luxury signing for Arsenal but Araujo’s quality and potential would make him hard to ignore if a deal becomes possible.