Ronald Araujo stay more likely after Xavi Hernandez exit from Barcelona

Originally posted on Football Espana | By Ruairidh Barlow | Last updated 5/27/24

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has been heavily linked with an exit from the club this summer, with talks over a renewal in stasis. However the Blaugrana defender is more likely to stay without Xavi Hernandez there.

According to Marca , the relationship between the pair was not the best, and Araujo was not happy about being called out in front of his teammates, something that Xavi did on multiple occasions, but most clearly after his red card against Paris Saint-Germain. Araujo felt exposed by the club and Xavi, as the criticism flooded in.

Joshua Kimmich has turned down an offer from Barcelona because it doesn't meet his economic pretensions. @albert_masnou

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 27, 2024

Now with Hansi Flick set to take over from Xavi, Araujo is more interested in renewing his contract, although the chances are that he still leaves. The 24-year-old centre-back is keen to play for a team that will compete for titles, and with the finances as they are, it looks unlikely that Barcelona will be able to strengthen much this summer. Seemingly he will wait to see how the next few weeks will play out – he is yet to respond to Barcelona’s renewal offer – and consider remaining if there are sufficient reinforcements.

The upshot is that Barcelona also need to sell this summer, and Araujo looks like one of the few that are willing to leave the club that will fetch a major transfer fee. With rumoured interest from Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Araujo has two years left on his deal, and the most sensible financial decision for Barcelona is to sell him if he does not agree to a new contract.

The post Ronald Araujo stay more likely after Xavi Hernandez exit from Barcelona appeared first on Football España.

This article first appeared on Football Espana and was syndicated with permission.

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