Ronald Araujo is poised to join Liverpool on a season-long loan from Barcelona, but one team-mate is gutted to be losing his pal this month, and hopes to see him return next year
Ronald Araujo before the LaLiga EA Sports match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona.
Ronald Araujo is set to sign for Liverpool on a season-long loan. (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Ronald Araujo is already wanted back at Barcelona, despite his transfer to Liverpool not yet being officially confirmed. The defender is set to sign a season-long loan with the Reds.
The arrival of the Uruguay international will ease some of the defensive worries that Andoni Iraola may have as the club builds up to the Premier League season opener against Newcastle United in under two weeks' time. The 27-year-old can play as a central defender or right-back.
Liverpool will have a £47 million option to make the transfer permanent next summer if the loan spell goes well. But, Araujo's Barcelona team-mate Fermin Lopez is hoping that's not the case.
Speaking to Spanish publication Sport, he said: "He (Araujo) has come to say goodbye.
"It's a shame, because he's a captain and I have a good relationship with him. He made the decision to continue developing and I hope he comes back next season."
Araujo has spent the past eight years at Barcelona and has worn the captain's armband at the Nou Camp since being appointed to the role in January.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona looks on during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Como 1907 at Estadi Johan Cruyff on August 10, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Fermin Lopez is sad to see his Barcelona team-mate go(Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
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Yet he struggled to nail down a regular starting berth, managing just 16 starts last season — a campaign during which he stepped away from the game for mental health reasons. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has shed light on his decision to allow the defender to depart this summer.
"I think Ronald is a great guy and a fantastic player," he said.
"I think our style of play, that we want to play, is a little bit different. He's a player that has a lot of speed, he's physical and very strong and also with the ball he's quite good.
"We couldn't include him like I wanted and also I think he wants to make something new. You know it more than me because in the past, something has happened, so this affected him.
"I saw him this morning and I said goodbye and I think he was very happy and Liverpool is also a fantastic club. I wish him all the best because he deserves it.
"He's a fantastic guy and fantastic player and was a great captain."
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