Flavio Perchman has rubbished suggestions Ronald Araujo could join Real Madrid, with the reported Liverpool and Everton transfer target’s agent adamant he is happy at Barcelona.
Spanish radio network Sin Concesiones claimed after this week’s El Clasico that Galacticos President Florentino Perez wants to sign Araujo. The Blancos’ chief hopes he refuses to sign a new contract to switch sides between La Liga superpowers next year.
Araujo’s Blaugrana contract expires in 2023 and he is yet to reach an agreement over a new deal. Real Madrid had also courted the Uruguayan before he joined Barcelona from Boston River for €1.7m (£1.4m) in 2018. Now, CBS report they value him at closer to $90m (£66m).
Clubs from around Europe are keeping close tabs on the 22-year-old’s Camp Nou situation, given his contract ends in 2023. ESPN report Liverpool and Manchester United are scouting Araujo, as Barcelona are unlikely to offer the defender a salary increase suiting his stature.
Additionally, The Athletic report Everton are among the clubs ready to offer Araujo a ‘much better’ wage than Barcelona can. The Toffees are likely to wait until the summer to move.
Agent rubbishes claim Liverpool and Everton target Araujo could join Real Madrid
But Perchman rubbishes the claims that Everton and Liverpool transfer target Araujo could leave Barcelona for Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid. He has told Uruguayan radio network Sport 890, via quotes by Sport, that he is focused on staying in Catalunya.
“Ronald is a Barcelona player, he has a year-and-a-half left on his contract,” Perchman said. “I do not give a handle to what transpired from Real Madrid’s interest. He is very happy in Barcelona and wants to continue there.”
Araujo displayed his determination to play for Barcelona against Real Madrid in this week’s El Clasico. Despite Sport reporting the Blaugrana may need a new centre-back after Araujo underwent surgery on an injury, he played on with screws in his hand for all 120-minutes.
The Spanish Super Cup showdown was Araujo’s 22nd appearance of the season across all competitions so far. He has started 16 of his outings this term, while also scoring twice.
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