July 3rd 2024.
According to reports coming out of Spain, it seems that the highly sought-after defender Ronald Araujo is at the top of the transfer wish lists for both Chelsea and Manchester United. However, it seems that his current club, Barcelona, is not willing to part with the talented player for anything less than a whopping €100 million.
It's no secret that both Chelsea and United are on the hunt for a new central defender this summer, and Araujo has caught their eye with his impressive performances. The Premier League clubs were hoping to take advantage of Barcelona's financial struggles and secure a deal for the Uruguayan international. However, it seems that the Spanish club is not willing to budge on their asking price, even with their need to sell players to fund their own transfer targets. One of these targets is Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger Nico Williams.
Despite interest from Chelsea, United, and even Bayern Munich, who attempted to sign Araujo in the January transfer window, Barcelona remains firm in their stance that he is not for sale. According to Mundo Deportivo, all three clubs have made approaches for the defender, but Barcelona is not willing to entertain offers below their valuation.
It's no surprise that Barcelona wants to keep hold of Araujo, as their president Joan Laporta has previously stated that he would "renew him for life." Laporta has also praised the 25-year-old, calling him "one of the best centre-backs at the club." Araujo himself has remained focused on his current club, stating that he is "100 per cent focused on the Copa America" when asked about his future.
With Barcelona standing firm on their stance, Manchester United has shifted their attention to another defender, Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. The 24-year-old, who only started 16 Bundesliga games last season, is reportedly open to a move to United. However, Bayern is holding out for a fee of €50 million for the Dutch defender. De Ligt is currently with the Netherlands' squad for Euro 2024, and it remains to be seen if a deal will be reached before their quarter-final tie against Turkey on Saturday.
It's clear that both Chelsea and Manchester United are eager to bolster their defense this summer. With Barcelona's high asking price for Araujo, it remains to be seen if either club will be able to secure a deal for the talented defender. As the transfer window continues, all eyes will be on these clubs as they look to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.
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