Ex-Liverpool centre-back Neil Ruddock believes his former club have secured themselves a “top-quality” defender in Ronald Araujo.
Speaking exclusively to Walk On (courtesy of iGaming.com), Ruddock said that the Reds’ recruitment team rarely make errors in the transfer market, and he thinks a loan deal for the Uruguayan makes sense:
“He’s a top-quality centre-back. He wasn’t featuring as regularly at Barcelona despite signing a contract extension, so a loan move suits all parties. With Virgil van Dijk getting older and Ibrahima Konate leaving the club, Liverpool needed more physical depth at the back. A loan structure with an optional purchase clause makes total sense financially with current PSR regulations.”
“From what I’ve seen, Araujo is tall, aggressive, and powerful. Learning alongside Van Dijk for a season will elevate his game immensely. Liverpool’s recruitment team rarely makes rash decisions – they do extensive background checks on character and fit. I trust their process, and it’s a massive opportunity for him.”
Liverpool have competition at centre-half
As Ruddock mentions, the shock departure of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer left the Reds in a bit of a hole with regards to depth in the backline.
Giovanni Leoni won’t return from his ACL until September, and it will take the young Italian a while to get up to speed after being out for a whole year.
Joe Gomez cannot be trusted to stay fit either, which left new signing Jeremy Jacquet as the only real option to partner van Dijk. Araujo’s arrival gives head coach Andoni Iraola much greater security in a key position.
Could Araujo stay at Anfield after his loan spell?
The Merseyside club do have the option to sign the 27-year-old on a permanent basis at the end of the season, but the purchase clause is a hefty €55m (£47m).
It would probably take an incredible campaign from Araujo for the club to pay that transfer fee, but Ruddock seems confident that he will be a success in England.
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