Uruguayan star Ronald Araujo has sparked concern at Barcelona after a disappointing performance against Chelsea, leading to his exclusion from the squad for the Alavés match under the pretext of a stomach virus. However, this explanation failed to convince many, and rumors quickly spread about potential psychological issues that prompted manager Hansi Flick to protect him from possible fan backlash.
Fans were ready to boo the number 4, prompting the coaching staff to avoid direct confrontation. Reports such as Marca confirmed that Araujo has requested time off to recover mentally, and there is a possibility he will not return to Barcelona anytime soon.
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The duration of his absence is yet to be determined, but he could be sidelined throughout December. At the start of January, club president Joan Laporta and manager Deco might seek to sell him before his market value drops further. At Camp Nou, the player is currently considered surplus to requirements, and a sale in January would have been possible had suitable offers been received.
Araujo is currently free to negotiate with any club, and his price tag could drop from the previous €60 million to around €40 million. His agents have already begun exploring options, including previous interest from Liverpool, who are currently struggling at center-back, especially after Ibrahima Konaté’s decline and Virgil van Dijk’s advancing age.
However, according to The Mirror, Liverpool rejected the opportunity to sign Araujo due to concerns about his ability to adapt to the Premier League after his recent errors, preferring to focus on a more reliable defender.
At Barcelona, the club appears ready to let the player leave, aiming to secure the best possible transfer fee before the end of the winter transfer window, while Araujo’s future remains highly uncertain.
