FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has urged reported Liverpool target Ronald Araujo to sign a new contract with the La Liga giants, with the defender linked with an exit this summer.
Speaking to the press via Fabrizio Romano, the Spanish coach issued a transfer message to his star defender to remain in Catalonia, with Barcelona yet to sign Araujo down to a new contract as the centre-back continues to draw interest from Premier League clubs.
As reported by Sport, Liverpool are interested in the Barcelona superstar, with Araujo having a release clause worth £167m as per the report, a fee that the Catalan side are looking to raise if the defender pens a new contract.
Indeed, Araujo has been one of Barcelona’s best players this season and is viewed by many as the long-term successor to Gerard Pique, who has marshalled the backline for the Catalan giants for well over a decade.
Although the defender is yet to sign a new contract, Xavi sounded confident that Araujo, as well as Gavi, will pen fresh terms with Barcelona in the coming weeks, with the manager dealing Liverpool a killer transfer blow in his press conference this week.
The rival manager said: “Gavi and Araujo are very important to us for the future. Barcelona cannot allow them to leave. I want to think that both of them will renew their contract.”
Latest Barcelona comments should end Liverpool’s interest in Araujo
Liverpool’s pursuit of Araujo was always going to be one mired in difficulty, and Xavi’s latest comments on the defender this week should all but kill the Reds’ hopes of signing the talented South American this summer.
Indeed, Araujo has become a superstar for Barcelona this season and will likely play a key role in the rebuilding of the club for years to come, and Xavi’s recent plea for the defender to remain in Catalonia should end Liverpool’s interest in the centre-back ahead of the summer.
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