Ronald Araujo will need surgery for the injury the Uruguayan sustained in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey win on Wednesday, dashing Everton and Liverpool’s reported hopes for a transfer.
The Blaugrana announced on Thursday that Doctor Xavier Mir will operate on the defender this Friday. Araujo fractured the second and third metacarpal bones in his right hand during the Camp Nou natives’ 2-1 win at Linares Deportivo.
Xavi Hernandez had to introduce Gerard Pique at half-time to replace the 22-year-old after the injury. Araujo had started the Municipal de Linarejos tie for his 21st appearance of the season across all competitions, starting 15.
Araujo is now set for a spell on the sidelines, which Sport report will force Barcelona to sign a replacement. The Catalan giants did not plan on signing centre-halves during January, but Araujo is one of their most important defenders.
Barcelona are now debating whether to target a short-term replacement for the rest of the season. Alternatively, they may bring forward their summer plans for a permanent arrival.
Araujo injury dashes Everton and Liverpool hopes of Barcelona transfer
Araujo’s injury and the Uruguayan’s possibly lengthy absence should also dash Everton and Liverpool’s hopes of a transfer with Barcelona. The Merseyside rivals were reportedly set to battle for the five-cap enforcer Xavi called ‘spectacular’, via the Blaugrana’s Twitter feed.
Reports by ESPN in November noted Liverpool and Manchester United are closely tracking Araujo’s development. The Reds watched him extensively during 2021, as the Rivera-native is out of contract in 2023 and the Anfield natives can afford to gazump Barcelona’s offers.
Everton are also happy to better the terms Barcelona present Araujo in a new contract, per The Athletic. Yet any side wishing to sign the defender faces a $90m (£66.5m) fee, per CBS.
An injury which forces Barcelona to spend is thus unlikely to see Everton or Liverpool eye a transfer for Araujo. So, a Merseyside duel for the Uruguayan’s signature may have to wait.
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