Liverpool's surprising move: Barcelona captain to join on loan
Liverpool is close to completing a deal to sign Barcelona and Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo on a one-season loan. The agreement includes a purchase option, and the 27-year-old is expected to join the squad this weekend.
A surprising move was orchestrated on Friday, with Liverpool close to completing the addition of Barcelona and Uruguay national team defender Ronald Araujo on a one-season loan. The deal includes a purchase option, and Araujo is expected to join the Liverpool squad as early as this weekend.
The 27-year-old defender helped Barcelona win the Spanish championship in three of the last four seasons and finished last season as the team's captain. Although his contract at Barcelona is valid until 2031, Araujo started in only 11 league games last season after Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsi became the preferred pair of central defenders.
Araujo joined Barcelona in 2018 from the Uruguayan club Boston River, started in the reserve team, and since 2019 has recorded more than 200 appearances for the club.
Liverpool was looking to strengthen the center of its defense after Frenchman Ibrahima Konate left the club to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
