Ronald Araujo - Imago
Fabrizio Romano has admitted that he made a mistake when discussing the details of Ronald Araujo’s loan move to Liverpool, after previously claiming that the Reds did not have an option to make the defender’s move permanent.
The Italian transfer expert has now clarified his comments, confirming that Liverpool do in fact have a buy option included in their agreement with Barcelona.
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Romano said: “I mentioned on a podcast that Liverpool didn’t have a buy option for Ronald Araujo. That’s not the case, that was my mistake.”
“There is a buy option clause worth €55m.”
The clarification comes after Fabrizio Romano himself was among the first to reveal the details of Liverpool’s agreement for Ronald Araujo earlier this summer.
When the deal was initially announced, it was reported that the Uruguay international would join Liverpool on a season-long loan, with the Reds covering his full salary.
Crucially, the agreement was understood to include a non-mandatory €55million buy option, giving Liverpool the choice to sign Araujo permanently next summer.
Romano had previously appeared to contradict those reports during a recent podcast, stating that there was no option for Liverpool to purchase the 27-year-old at the end of his loan spell.
His latest comments now represent a clear correction, with the journalist acknowledging that his original statement was incorrect.
The €55m figure is particularly significant given Araujo’s status at Barcelona and the level of experience he brings to Andoni Iraola’s squad.
Liverpool moved for the defender following a difficult period of defensive injuries and departures, with Araujo providing Iraola with an experienced option who can operate both centrally and at right-back.
The Uruguayan has already made a positive impression since arriving at Anfield, including producing an eye-catching performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Liverpool therefore have a potentially valuable decision to make next summer.
If Araujo continues to impress throughout the season, the Reds will have the option to trigger the €55m clause and turn his temporary move into a permanent one.
For now, however, Fabrizio Romano has made clear that his previous comments suggesting otherwise were simply a mistake.
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