Bayern Munich ready to pay over €70 million for Barcelona captain, move considered unlikely

With Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, and Inigo Martinez making up their centre-back column, Barcelona have, in theory, an incredible defensive core, rivalled by very few in the world.

However, due to their financial situation, this also means that it is the most expendable position in the squad, with rest of the team not having enough depth.

Kounde and/or Christensen have been reported to be the chosen ones that will head to the exit door, with each of their value standing at around €60-70 million. This kind of fee will help Barcelona solve a lot of their money problems while still maintaining solid defensive depth.

Interestingly, though, while Araujo’s sale is pretty much ruled out due to his importance in the team, Bayern Munich have been relentlessly trying to make a move for him. Thomas Tuchel is a huge fan of the player and wants the Bavarians to sign him.

They are reportedly ready to pay well over €70 million for the Urguayan’s services, as per Florian Plettenberg (h/t iMiaSanMia), but Barcelona will not budge. The amount is not considered enough by the club, who have set the centre-back’s release clause at an eye-tearing €1 billion.

As such, the move is considered unlikely, at least in the winter. If anything, Barcelona are working to extend Araujo’s deal further, giving him an overdue pay raise along with a longer deal.

Previous reports had even stated that Bayern were ready to pull the €100 million trigger for Araujo, but it seems unlikely after they spent over €150 million on Harry Kane and Min-jae Kim last summer.

That said, the Bavarians believe he is the perfect solution to their defensive problems, and will immediately solve their backline problems, the same way Harry Kane did for the attack, replacing Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona will definitely push to keep the player, and Araujo himself has talked about his desire to continue in the Catalan capital. If the transfer does go through, it will be extremely surprising.