Krishnan Sreekumar
Transfer News: Blow for Manchester United as PSG enter race for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo
According to Spanish publication Sport (h/t Express) Manchester United have been dealt a transfer blow in their chase for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo as Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race to secure the services of the player.
To make things worse for United, Marca have claimed that Barcelona are already in contract negotiations with the defender to tie him down at the Nou Camp for a few more years (h/t Express).
Having made his debut for the first team back in 2018, it is only since last season that Araujo has been a regular for the club, impressing everyone with his potential and talent. This term, he has been the first choice in defence, partnering either Gerard Pique or Eric Garcia.
The Barca player only has a year left on his current deal with the club, and the Spanish side will look to convince him to sign a new contract with them. He has grown to become an important part of their rearguard, and they would hate to lose him for free next summer.
Defensive blow for United
The Red Devils’ defence has not enjoyed the most productive of seasons this time around, with club captain Harry Maguire leading the way in highlighting the problems that the club have at the back. The Englishman has been woefully out of form this season, and the Manchester side is very likely to look for reinforcements at the back.
The Old Trafford outfit has been interested in Araujo, but now face a transfer battle with PSG. Known for their financial clout and ambition to dominate Europe in the Champions League, the Ligue 1 side is said to be capable of putting themselves in the driving seat to sign the Uruguayan this summer.
United’s defensive frailties were exposed completely last weekend, as they were ripped apart by rivals Manchester City in a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium. Not just Maguire, but the club’s other defenders did themselves no favour by looking shaky against their opponents.
Victor Lindelof was turned inside out by City’s attackers, while his captain was at fault for not responding quick enough to the dangers in the team’s rearguard. Four goals were shipped in at the end of an afternoon that left fans deflated about their club’s chances in the race for the top four this season.
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Although the Theatre of Dreams welcomed Raphael Varane from Real Madrid last summer, the Frenchman has not been able to provide the stability that the side hoped for from him. His injury record has not helped either, with the World Cup winner ruled out for quite a few fixtures this term.
All these reasons make it necessary for us to sign a quality defender at the end of the campaign to add to our defensive ranks. Araujo has proven that he is good enough to take control at the back and repel attacks- that too at a massive club such as Catalonian behemoths Barcelona, and we can hope that we are able to spoil PSG’s plan and snap him up ahead of the new season.
