Krishnan Sreekumar
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo provides transfer blow to Manchester United by saying he wants to stay at the Nou Camp
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 win over Sevilla over the weekend (h/t The Sun), Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo addressed the speculation surrounding his future at the club by claiming he wants to stay at the Nou Camp, providing a transfer blow to Manchester United.
United are looking for potential defensive targets to sign at the end of the season in order to address their frailties at the back, which has seen them concede cheap goals as they slip down the Premier League table and put their top-four hopes in danger.
Araujo poured cold water over any possible moves away from Barce in the near future, saying after the Sevilla victory that he was very happy to stay at the club and was pleased with the support he was getting from the La Liga side.
“I am very happy to be here and happy with the support of the club.”
The defender played all ninety minutes for the Catalan club as they beat Sevilla to move up to second in the league table. Red Devils loanee Anthony Martial started for Julen Lopetegui’s side, but the striker could not find a way past Araujo and Co. to score a goal for his side.
“I am optimistic”
Despite being a regular in the side and first-choice at centre-back alongside veteran Gerard Pique, the Uruguayan has seen himself be linked to clubs like United and Chelsea because of his contract situation at the Nou Camp. The player and the La Liga giants are yet to agree on a fresh deal.
The 23-year-old wants to be paid more than what Barcelona are currently offering in the latest contract renewal, but said that he was optimistic about the upcoming meeting with club executives regarding a new deal as he hoped to continue in Catalonia for many more years.
“We are working. This week we have a meeting. I hope it will be resolved soon so that I can continue many years at this club. I am optimistic.”
Araujo seems to be intent on staying in Spain and continuing his career with his current team, which comes as a big blow to United. This season, the side’s defence has probably been the biggest headache to sort out as we continue to ship in goals at the back despite having big names in the squad who are capable of doing a job.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof had a decent campaign together last season, as we finished second in the Premier League. This term, however, they look nothing close to how they performed the previous season. Raphael Varane was roped in from Real Madrid last summer to improve our rearguard, but he too has been underwhelming at times.
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Our last domestic game saw us concede yet another goal, with a quick counter-attack by Leicester City opening up our defensive line and unable to keep a clean sheet in the end, despite the Foxes not posing much of a threat otherwise.
Perhaps for these reasons, Araujo was being monitored by the Manchester side as he continues to put in impressive displays on the pitch week in and week out. However, his latest comments seem to suggest that he has no intention of leaving Spain. It remains to be seen whether he will accept Barca’s latest contract offer. If not, perhaps we have a chance to convince him to swap the La Liga for the Premier League.
