Liverpool have identified a transfer option to help address defensive concerns outlined by new head coach Andoni Iraola
Ronald Araujo of Barcelona
Ronald Araujo of Barcelona(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
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Liverpool are close to completing a loan deal for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo to answer the defensive headache of new head coach Andoni Iraola.
The Reds have targeted the 27-year-old Uruguay international given their ongoing concerns at centre-back with Virgil van Dijk at present their only fit senior player in the position.
And with Araujo also capable of playing at right-back, a move will address two of the chief concerns for Iraola ahead of the new Premier League season.
It is understood the season-long loan includes an option to buy rather than an obligation, with the player having recovered from the calf problem that meant he failed to feature for Uruguay in the recent World Cup.
Liverpool have a number of availability issues in defence as they continue to prepare for their Premier League opener at Newcastle United on August 23.
Joe Gomez is out for several weeks with a muscle issue suffered in the friendly against Sunderland a fortnight ago, new signing Jeremy Jacquet is yet to feature as he recovers fitness following a shoulder operation, Giovanni Leoni is still to return from an ACL injury suffered last September and teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe is ineligible.
At right-back, Conor Bradley has been sidelined since January after a serious knee injury while Jeremie Frimpong has been hampered by a number of fitness setbacks since signing from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
Araujo has spent eight years at Barcelona having joined from Uruguayan side Boston River. He has played more than 200 times for the Spanish side but hasn't been first choice in recent seasons.
The defender was heavily criticised after being sent off during the Champions League group stage loss to Chelsea in November and subsequently took a break for mental health reasons before returning to action in January.
Liverpool are continuing to look to strengthen their attacking options although they remain some way short of Paris Saint-Germain's £145million valuation for France international winger Bradley Barcola.
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