‘Powerful’ £67m Liverpool target has told manager his decision on future

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Ronald Araujo has already informed boss Xavi Hernandez he will sign a new contract with Barcelona in a major blow to Liverpool’s reported hopes for a transfer, according to Sport.

The Camp Nou hierarchy are eager to lock the defender down with a long-term deal as his existing terms expire next year. CEO Mateu Alemany is leading negotiations for the Catalan giants, as they view Araujo as their future and hope to settle on terms by the end of March.

Barcelona also want to put a €1bn (£828m) release clause in any new deal to further secure his future. The centre-half’s current terms include a €200m (£165m) break clause after the fee doubled in 2020 once the Blaugrana registered Araujo as a senior player with La Liga.

Premier League transfer interest in Araujo concerns Barcelona

Barcelona believe they must set an astronomical release clause in Araujo’s new contact to protect themselves against Premier League interest. Several English sides have approached the 22-year-old’s agent to express their interest and offer salaries exceeding Barca’s offers.

Araujo is edging closer and closer to extending his stay at the Camp Nou following further negotiations, however. He quickly rejected the Blaugrana’s initial proposal of €3m-a-year (£47k-a/w), per Sport. The defender believes he merits a wager closer to €6m (£95k-a/w).

An announcement of Araujo renewing his contract with Barcelona is now considered close. He should put pen to paper on a five-year deal, having only wanted to listen to the Camp Nou outfit’s interest. He does not forget it was Barca who bet on him at 19 back in 2018.

Araujo deals Liverpool transfer blow with new contract

Araujo will deal Liverpool a blow to their summer transfer plans by renewing his contract with Barcelona. Sport cited the Reds, plus Manchester United and Chelsea, as suitors for the seven-cap enforcer Gerard Pique considers ‘powerful’ when he rejected Barca’s offer.

All three Premier League sides are ready to spend big to buy the Uruguayan in the summer market. And they would need to regardless of any new deal, with CBS previously reporting a $90m (£67m) asking price ahead of the recent winter sales for the left-footed centre-half.