Liverpool is set to bolster its defensive options with the loan signing of Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, who could link up with his new teammates next week
Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona looks on prior to a LaLiga match
Liverpool is closing in on the loan signing of Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo(Image: Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has landed in England to complete his loan move to Liverpool, according to the latest reports.
News of the shock transfer broke earlier this week as the Reds look to bolster their defensive options ahead of the new season. Throughout the preseason tour, head coach Andoni Iraola had to rely on youngsters Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Luke Chambers at center back, which only underscored just how limited his current options are.
Virgil van Dijk is back in team training after being afforded more time off following the World Cup, but new signing Jeremy Jacquet is yet to feature, while Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are recovering from injury. Currently, there are no fit senior options available to partner Van Dijk on the opening day of the season.
Despite tentative links to the likes of Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa over the last week, news broke on Friday evening that the Reds are closing in on a loan deal to sign Barcelona center back Araujo. The Uruguay international joined the La Liga giant back in 2018 and was initially part of its B team.
He made his first-team debut a year later in 2019 and became a fully integrated member of the senior squad prior to the 2020/21 season. In total, he has now amassed over 200 appearances for the club and was made captain of the side following the departure of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Since his first-team breakthrough, Araujo has struggled with various injury problems. Despite signing a new contract with Barcelona last year, which runs until 2031, last season proved challenging for the 27-year-old as he took a leave of absence to prioritize his mental health.
It has been reported that Araujo's loan deal with Liverpool includes a £47.1 million ($63.6 million) buy option next summer, should the Reds choose to make the move permanent. In the meantime, he is set to provide crucial defensive cover for the upcoming season, given he can also be utilized at right back.
Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United
Andoni Iraola helped get a deal for Ronald Araujo over the line with his gesture(Image: Michael Miller/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
According to The Athletic's James Pearce, Araujo has now landed in the North West and is set to undergo a medical before finalizing the move. Meanwhile, Iraola's men take on Ligue 1 side Monaco in a preseason friendly at Anfield on Sunday.
It is hoped Araujo can feature in next week's friendly against Como as the start of the season edges ever closer. On August 23, Liverpool will begin its Premier League campaign with a tricky away test against Newcastle.
Iraola will take charge of a league game at Anfield for the first time a week later against Nottingham Forest. He will also face his former club, Bournemouth, at the end of September.
For now, the imminent arrival of Araujo could mark the start of a busy few weeks for Liverpool as it looks to solve its depth issues. Currently, there are gaping holes in attack following Mohamed Salah's departure at the end of last season, with Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola the reported primary target for the position.