Barcelona rejected two offers from Bayern Munich for Ronald Araujo in January.
Ronald Araujo is not for sale. The Uruguayan center-back is one of the most coveted players in Barcelona’s current squad, and despite the club’s economic challenges, Barcelona has no plans to part ways with him, as recently evidenced. According to Roger Torello of Mundo Deportivo, last January Bayern Munich made a strong bid for Araujo, offering up to 90 million euros. However, Barcelona firmly closed the door on any potential sale. The German club even increased their offer from 70 to 80 million euros, plus 10 million in variables, but Barcelona’s response remained negative.
Bayern’s keen interest in Araujo was evident, with even their coach, Thomas Tuchel, getting involved in trying to persuade the Uruguayan center-back. Barcelona considers Ronald Araujo, who turns 25 next week, a key player in both their current and future projects. Araujo is valued not only for his defensive skills but also for his leadership qualities and influence among his teammates, both on and off the field. He was even chosen by his peers last summer to be the third representative of the team, after Sergi Roberto and Ter Stegen, and ahead of Frenkie de Jong.
Additionally, Araujo himself was not in favor of leaving Barcelona in January. In fact, when asked about Bayern before the semi-finals of the Supercopa de Arabia in January, Araujo stated, “There are always rumors in every transfer window. I am focused on Barcelona, and I always show it. I will always give 100%,” he commented. Similarly, when pressed about his future and reminded that he is among the players up for renewal at the club, the Uruguayan defender reiterated his commitment to Barcelona. “There is always talk of transfers in every window. But I focus on the club, I am happy. And I always give my best when I have to defend this shirt,” he emphasized.
With the blow from Bayern Munich in January now behind them, and to underline Araujo’s importance to the club, Barcelona will begin working on Araujo’s renewal. The Uruguayan center-back’s contract runs until June 2026, and it is well protected with a release clause of 1 billion euros. However, Barcelona does not want to take any risks and see Araujo reach the end of next season without renewing.
As a gesture of goodwill and to make it clear that Barcelona values him, the club’s sporting director, Deco, met with Araujo’s agents on February 14th at a restaurant in Barcelona. Although both parties remained tight-lipped after the meeting, it was evident that there was a good rapport between them. In fact, both the Barcelona’s sporting director and Araujo’s representatives, Edmundo Kabchi and Edoardo Crnjar, intend to meet again in a few weeks. It is possible that Barcelona will then present a renewal proposal to Araujo to persuade him to extend his contract beyond 2026.
