It was solely a little bit over a month in the past when Ronald Araujo’s future at FC Barcelona had turn into a subject of a lot hypothesis.
The defender, having returned from a prolonged damage absence, had discovered himself behind Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez within the pecking order and appeared set to depart in January with Juventus pushing exhausting for his signing.
Nonetheless, Barcelona sporting director Deco managed to persuade the Uruguayan worldwide to not solely keep but in addition signal a brand new contract till 2031.
However the brand new deal got here with a caveat that Araujo’s launch clause could be lowered from the earlier worth of €1 billion. Because it stands, the 25-year-old’s termination clause drops to €65 million for the primary ten days of the summer season window, leaving the door open for an exit.
Araujo’s future turning into unsure
Now, Javi Miguel of AS stories that Araujo’s future at FC Barcelona is beginning to turn into more and more unsure as he appears to be fading away from an everyday spot in Hansi Flick’s beginning XI.
Araujo gazing a troublesome scenario. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
The Uruguayan centre-back is now thought of the fourth alternative in Flick’s defensive hierarchy, behind Martinez, Cubarsi, and Eric Garcia, who has grown in stature since deciding in opposition to a January exit.
Araujo has not performed a single minute in Barcelona’s final three matches, watching from the bench in opposition to Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas, and Atletico Madrid (4-4). His final look got here on February 9 in opposition to Sevilla – the place he performed solely 22 minutes.
Flick seems to desire centre-backs who’re extra tactical than bodily, prioritising ball distribution, positioning, and anticipation over uncooked defensive energy. And the supervisor just isn’t eager to rotate a lot within the last levels of the season, making it troublesome for Araujo.
The Barcelona captain’s scenario is ready to turn into much more difficult as Andreas Christensen is again from damage, whereas Barcelona are additionally eyeing Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen as a summer season signing.
All of this might additional push Araujo out of the membership’s plans, making a switch more and more doubtless.