Liverpool have officially confirmed the signing of Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with an option to make the move permanent for £47 million.
Deal details
All of Araujo's wages will be covered by Liverpool, and it is understood he offered to take a decreased salary to seal the move to Anfield. No loan fee is being paid, and with the Uruguay international involved in pre-season for Barcelona, Liverpool believe he is ready to feature immediately.
Why Liverpool moved
The move was triggered by Joe Gomez's injury early in the pre-season friendly against Sunderland. Gomez is expected to remain out until late August at the earliest. New £60m signing Jeremy Jacquet is yet to feature for the Reds, having not appeared since sustaining a season-ending shoulder problem at Rennes in February.
With teenage centre-back Ifenayi Ndukwe unavailable this season due to work-permit complications, sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola had been examining alternatives before settling on Araujo, who has slipped down the pecking order at Barcelona.
Araujo's versatility
The 27-year-old can also operate as a right-back, a plus given Conor Bradley remains far from returning following a serious knee injury sustained in the goalless draw at Arsenal in January. With Giovanni Leoni also several weeks away from a return following an ACL injury last September, Araujo is potentially poised for a Liverpool debut at Newcastle United on August 23. He could appear on Sunday against Como in one of two consecutive friendlies.
Background and impact
Araujo has spent the past eight years at Barcelona, having arrived from Uruguayan club Boston River. He was named Barcelona captain in January this year. The defender has turned out more than 200 times for Barcelona but slipped down the hierarchy under Hansi Flick, who recently told him he was free to explore his options elsewhere.
Araujo faced fierce criticism online following his dismissal during Barcelona's 3-0 loss to Chelsea in the Champions League in November. He subsequently stepped away for mental health reasons before making his comeback in January.
He is the third acquisition of the summer, following deals for defender Jacquet (£60m from Rennes) and Spain international winger Victor Munoz (£34.5m from Osasuna).
Further transfer activity
Liverpool continue talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, who carries a £140m price tag from the Champions League winners. Such a sum would make Barcola the most costly player in Merseyside history. The Reds are eager to reduce the asking price for a winger who has two years remaining on his Paris contract and is determined to join Anfield.
PSG secured Monaco's Maghnes Alikouche last week and are anticipated to capture Ajax's Mika Godts, bolstering Luis Enrique's attacking options further, which may prompt a relaxation of their position regarding Barcola.
