Osasuna enter four-way race to sign 21-year-old Barcelona starlet on loan – report

Sergino Dest and Julian Araujo were expected to be the biggest beneficiaries of Barcelona’s pre-season tour in the United States. With both players being based out of the US in recent years, a trip there was expected to do them a world of good.

However, the latter has not linked up with the squad even a week into their tour. Reports state that Xavi Hernandez has given the right-back an extra week of vacation because of his participation in the Gold Cup, but the club also hope that he can decide his future in the seven-day window provided.

The manager does not have faith in the former LA Galaxy star’s quality yet to assure him place in his plans. Barcelona are open to sending him on loan to facilitate his development. However, the player has not been receptive to the same.

According to reports from SPORT, Osasuna have now joined the race to sign the Mexican international. They are, however, not the only party interested.

Araujo has plenty of options on his table as potential loan destinations for the 2023-24 campaign. In fact, Las Palmas were said to have an agreement with Barça for his signing, but are still waiting for the green light from the player’s entourage.

Feyenoord and Porto are some of the other European clubs willing to take the bet on the young right-back, but the onus is currently on Barcelona to convince the player to leave. After all, he will be a redundant resource under Xavi’s command next season.

Heading into the 2023-24 campaign, the Barcelona manager wishes to bring in a new right-back this summer.

With Sergi Roberto and Jules Kounde already at the club, Araujo would be pushed down the pecking order, making it imperative for him to secure a loan exit to play regularly.