Man United ready to make a large investment to sign promising Barcelona defender

Ronald Araujo has grown leaps and bounds over the past eighteen months at Barcelona.

Signed from Boston River back in 2018, the Uruguayan defender enjoyed his breakthrough campaign last season, as he emerged as one of the few positives for the Blaugrana.

The 22-year-old has managed to up his game this season, becoming the leader of the defence with his aggressive, no-nonsense defending. Araujo has already featured 24 times for Barça this season, scoring two goals in the process.

A firm favourite of manager Xavi Hernandez and the fans, the centre-back is up for a new contract at the club. Araujo’s current deal stands to expire in 18 months’ time and the Catalan heavyweights are planning to secure his long-term future at the club by handing him a new long-term deal.

However, there could be potential roadblocks along the way as elite clubs from England have taken note of the situation and are planning to sign him. Recent reports indicated that Manchester City have their sights on the 22-year-old centre-half.

Now, MARCA has come out with a report stating that Barcelona face a much bigger threat from City’s neighbours, Manchester United, who are prepared to make a large investment to sign Araujo in the summer transfer window later this year.

The Red Devils are looking to strengthen their defence despite having spent heavily on Raphael Varane last year. The likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have not been consistent enough. And, as a result, United see the Barça youngster as a key target for the upcoming transfer window.

Barcelona have been planning to hold talks with Araujo’s camp over a renewal for quite some time now. And with interest in him continuing to rise, it is imperative that the club initiate negotiations and tie up the deal at the earliest possible.

It is believed that the Uruguayan international wants to remain at Camp Nou, but wants to be paid in accordance with his status within the team. Whether Barcelona are willing to agree to that demand will have a major impact on Araujo’s decision.