Ramon Planes has told Radio Marca he expects Ronald Araujo and Barcelona will agree to a new contract befitting of his talent and ward off reported transfer interest from Liverpool.
Araujo will enter the final year of his existing deal this summer to offer his suitors hope of a bargain. The Uruguayan has emerged as the rock of the Camp Nou defence in recent years. But the Blaugrana are struggling to present an offer appropriate of his standing under Xavi.
The centre-half earns €900k-a-year (£14.5k-a/w) at the Camp Nou and believes he deserves around €6m-a-year (£96k-a/w) now, per Sport. Yet Barcelona only suggested around €3m-a-year (£48k-a/w) during informal talks with Araujo’s agent in January over a new contract.
Barcelona’s troubles have alerted clubs in England like Liverpool to the potential to secure Araujo’s transfer this summer. The Reds are willing to pay a fee this summer to sign the 22-year-old, who CBS reported in December the Catalan side currently value at $90m (£66m).
Failing to agree a new deal will lower what the Blaugrana could demand this summer. But he also has alternative suitors, with Marca citing Manchester United and Chelsea. Both are now ready to make him a ‘very strong’ offer as they look to refresh their respective sides.
Planes tips Barcelona to hand Liverpool target Ronald Araujo new contract
Planes discovered Araujo while Barcelona’s sporting director and expects his former side to agree a new contract with the Liverpool transfer target and lock down his long-term future. He also expects the seven-cap international to become one of the best stars in his position.
“With his mentality and his competitive character he can be one of the best centre-backs in the world,” Planes said. “I don’t think so [they won’t renew his contract].
“I know that they [Araujo and teammate Pedri] are very happy in Barcelona. I think the club will value them as they deserve and it will be a marriage of many years. A stage begins that needs time and patience, but it will be good for both.”
Araujo has so far made 27 appearances so far this season across all competitions, including 19 La Liga outings. He has also scored three in his Spanish top-flight games this term.
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