22-year-old Barcelona star ready to renew contract on one condition

Signed as an unknown quantity back in 2018 from Boston River, Ronald Araujo has grown into one of the Catalan giants’ best players over the past year.

The 22-year-old has firmly established himself as a mainstay at the back, impressing the onlookers with his aggressive, dogged displays, while he has also contributed with some important goals for the team.

To date, Araujo has featured 61 times for the Blaugrana, 22 of which have come in the ongoing campaign. With his importance within the team growing with each passing game, the Blaugrana are looking to tie him down to a new contract at the earliest.

The Uruguayan international’s current deal expires in 18 months, which has led to interest from clubs in the Premier League like Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. Recent reports have also indicated that Barcelona’s arch-rivals, Real Madrid, have also taken a liking to the defender.

However, as per SPORT, the centre-half has no desire to leave Camp Nou and is keen on signing a new contract with the club, but with a condition. Araujo wants the Blaugrana to hand him wages that are reflecting of his status within the squad.

At the moment, the 22-year-old earns less than his fellow centre-backs, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Eric Garcia and Samuel Umtiti, despite being the most important defender in the squad.

So, it is natural for him to demand a contract that rewards his rise in prominence over the past year or so. Preliminary talks with his agent were held towards the end of the last year but came to a half after the departure of then-technical secretary Ramon Planes.

Araujo and his camp want to resolve the contract situation at the earliest though but will have to wait for the January transfer window to come to a halt before things can get a move on.