Liverpool are on the verge of completing a surprise season-long loan move for Barcelona club captain Ronald Araujo, with the defender set to undergo a medical on Sunday before the deal is concluded.
The 27-year-old Uruguay international, who has made more than 200 appearances for Barcelona and won domestic honours, is seen as a versatile addition who can play both centre-back and right-back, addressing two areas new head coach Andoni Iraola wanted to strengthen amid a lack of defensive availability.
Compromise deal
The loan is expected to include an option to make the move permanent, rather than an obligation, allowing Liverpool to retain funds for other squad improvements, notably a new right-winger. The Reds have already spent almost £100m in the last 12 months on young defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, and with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez due to become free agents next summer, further investment will be needed.
Conor Bradley remains the long-term right-back option when fit, with Jeremie Frimpong and Gomez as alternatives, so Araujo is viewed as additional cover before the position is reviewed again next year.
Short-term need
Araujo could line up alongside Van Dijk in the Premier League opener at Newcastle United in a fortnight, with Gomez and Leoni ruled out and Jacquet recovering from shoulder surgery.
However, concerns exist over signing a player who has been allowed to leave Barcelona despite being appointed club captain in January. Araujo started only 11 La Liga games in each of the last two seasons.
Squad and mental health
His arrival would take Liverpool to their maximum of 17 non-homegrown players registered in the Premier League, with Calvin Ramsay likely to make way if the Reds continue to strengthen.
Araujo took time off for mental health reasons after heavy social media criticism for a red card in a Champions League defeat at Chelsea last season. Liverpool have no worries he has emerged stronger from the experience.
Loan history
The Reds have a poor recent record with loan signings: under Jurgen Klopp, Arthur Melo made one 13-minute appearance, Ozan Kabak struggled, and Steven Caulker made four outings. Brendan Rodgers had little joy with Javier Manquillo, Victor Moses, Aly Cissokho, and Nuri Sahin.
Critics may argue that more decisive pursuit of Marc Guehi last summer could have avoided this situation, but Liverpool appear to have avoided a late deadline day scramble. While Araujo is a gamble, it is one the Reds may feel they had no choice but to take.
