One of many greatest tales on this winter switch market at FC Barcelona was the unsure way forward for Ronald Araujo.
The Uruguayan centre-back appeared to have made up his thoughts to finish his time on the Catalan membership, with a transfer to Juventus seemingly near being finalised.
Nonetheless, the Barcelona captain in the end turned down the Italian giants and selected to proceed carrying the Blaugrana jersey, signing a contract till June 2031.
The conversations between the 25-year-old defender and Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, in the end led to profitable negotiation, with the participant placing pen to paper on a brand new contract.
Deco sheds gentle on Araujo talks
In an interview with SPORT, Deco defined how the negotiations with Araujo unfolded, however opted to put himself within the background slightly than taking credit score for it.
“I didn’t persuade him,” famous the previous Portuguese midfielder.
Empathising with the participant, the Barcelona director commented: “Typically a footballer goes by way of moments in his profession, typically he has doubts, whether or not he’s in the suitable undertaking.”
Araujo signed a long-term contract till 2031. (Picture by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Pictures)
Persevering with, he added: “Ronald needed to really feel if he may win, if he may combat for necessary issues. Not solely him. I put myself on the footballer’s aspect and I don’t see myself being at Barça with out successful titles. I needed to be in a successful crew.”
Revealing what he informed the Uruguayan worldwide, Deco mentioned: “I informed him he was flawed to go away in January as a result of this crew, between now and the tip of the season, will present that it could possibly combat for necessary issues.
“We by no means needed to promote him and the choice ultimately was the participant’s. We would like gamers who wish to succeed on the membership. We would like gamers who wish to succeed at Barça.”
There was hypothesis that Araujo may rethink his scenario sooner or later, particularly together with his launch clause quantity being lowered. So when requested if he sees the defender on the membership subsequent season, Deco replied:
“I believe so. The sensation now we have is that this crew goes to be preventing for necessary issues within the subsequent few years and the participant desires to be a part of that.”