Barcelona captain’s future hangs in the balance: Salary deferral and extension under discussion | OneFootball

According to a recent update from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is currently engaged in discussions with the club about extending his contract and deferring his salary.

It must be noted that Araujo’s existing deal is set to expire in 2026. Despite ongoing talks, no significant progress has been made, and a new meeting with his agents is anticipated.

So far, despite the club’s efforts, Araujo’s contract has not seen any formal extension offers accepted by him or his representatives.

The last notable development occurred on February 14, when his agents, Edmundo Kabchi and Edoardo Crnjar, met with Deco to discuss the contract situation. Since then, more than six months have passed without any substantial progress.

Concern at Barcelona

Ronald Araujo has not responded to Barcelona’s contract offer. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

This lack of movement has raised concerns within the club to the extent that the team might put him up on the market if there is no development by 2025.

To address the situation, Barcelona president Joan Laporta personally intervened in March, presenting the club’s offer directly to Araujo. Despite these efforts, the contract remains unsigned, leaving the club in a state of uncertainty.

Currently, Araujo is recovering from hamstring surgery, which has kept him sidelined since July. Despite his absence, the centre-back remains a crucial player in the Barcelona squad, but his silence about the contract offers has only added to the club’s anxiety.

With Araujo’s contract expiring in 2026, Barcelona must carefully evaluate their options. One potential strategy is to consider selling him in 2025 if an agreement cannot be reached, to avoid losing him on a free transfer.

As it stands, Barcelona remain in a difficult position as they approach the next summer transfer window, with Araujo’s future still unresolved. The club has initiated the talks, but the player has not gotten back with a response yet.