Ronald Araujo is on his way to Liverpool this summer on a season-long loan from Barcelona, but his move came about due to a brutal reality check from Hansi Flick.
Ronald Araujo centre-back of Barcelona and Uruguay and Hansi Flick head coach of Barcelona after the LaLiga EA Sports match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona
Ronald Araujo was given a brutal reality check from Hansi Flick at Barcelona(Image: (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
Liverpool is closing in on signing number three of the summer transfer window, with Ronald Araujo set to join on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
The defender will be able to offer cover at both centre-back and right-back for the Reds, adding a quality depth option to the team for a relatively low cost.
His move has come about because, despite being the club captain, it seems as though Barcelona boss Hansi Flick doesn't have the defender in his plans moving forward.
The brutal reality check seemingly hit Araujo hard, as the star had not originally planned to leave the Blaugrana this summer, but that change in approach led to the quick move from Liverpool.
Spanish outlet Sport reports that it was a meeting before his return to preseason that led to the ultimate decision that a move would be best for all parties.
It's claimed that Araujo asked for transparency from Flick over his place in the team, who was used to giving opportunities to those he believed deserved it, rather than any sort of hierarchical rankings within the team.
However, it was then that the manager told the Uruguayan international that he didn't view him as a starting centre-back for Barcelona, setting the wheels in motion for his exit.
With Pau Cubarsi deemed an untouchable part of the backline, Flick has seemingly decided to deploy a left-footed centre-back on that side to have the right balance. With Araujo being right-footed, he would be behind his Spanish counterpart in the pecking order.
Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona
Ronald Araujo is set to join Liverpool on loan from Barcelona(Image: (Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images))
The move to Liverpool then accelerated, as Andoni Iraola looked for more depth in the backline amid all of the injury troubles the team has had.
After securing an agreement for a season-long loan with an option to buy inserted in the deal, the Reds are now closing in on getting another deal over the line.
All things point towards the move getting done, which includes Barcelona boss Flick, who has since publicly discussed Araujo's place in the team.
Speaking to Jijantes, he said: "I think Araujo is a good player and a good person. For me, he's a player with a lot of speed and physicality.
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"We haven't been able to include him as much as we would have liked."
Liverpool will now be hoping that it can be the one to take advantage of that decision, with Araujo given the chance to shine once again for this coming season.