Barcelona defender to join Euro giants in a loan deal with buy option, agreement close

Just a matter of hours after the reports of an agreement between FC Barcelona and FC Porto over the transfer of Nico Gonzalez surfaced, it appears that the Portuguese giants are poised to sign another youngster from the Catalan outfit.

Indeed, as per SPORT, Porto are now close to an agreement with Barcelona for the signing of right-back Julian Araujo on a loan deal with a buy option. The 21-year-old ace is also believed to have given the green light to the move.

Araujo joined Barça late in the winter transfer window but was not registered as the club missed the deadline to file the appropriate paperwork.

As such, he spent the second half of the season alternating training between the first team and Barça Atletic without playing any competitive football.

Heading into the new season, it was always expected that Araujo could be shipped out on loan considering that he has no experience whatsoever in European football.

However, it was suggested that Xavi would be open to giving him a chance on the pre-season tour of the US. But earlier today, reports emerged claiming that Porto were interested in signing him on loan for the upcoming season and things have seemingly moved quite swiftly.

The Portuguese giants are on the lookout for a new right-back and even though there were some links to Sergino Dest, they have narrowed in on Araujo as their preferred target.

They broached the topic of the Mexican international during the talks for Nico and an agreement is now understood to be close, with Porto getting their hands on Araujo on a loan deal with an option to purchase.

With the player having given his ‘OK’ to the transfer, there is a good chance that things could accelerate in the coming hours and that the 21-year-old flies back to Europe to complete the transfer.