Barcelona set price tag for Man Utd and Bayern Munich target Ronald Araujo - report | OneFootball

Barcelona have set an asking price of €100m for Bayern Munich and Manchester United target Ronald Araujo, according to reports in Spain.

The 25-year-old has consistently upped his performance level after stepping up from Barcelona's B team in 2020 and is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in La Liga.

Araujo has played the role of senior centre-back this season, with teenager Pau Cubarsi stepping up to become a first team regular, but his long-term future at the Catalan giants has repeatedly been called into question.

Bayern and United have been extensively linked with moves for Araujo, whose contract with Barcelona expires in 2026, though the Uruguayan rubbished reports of a potential move away in March before reiterating in April that talks over a new contract were going well.

However, speculation that cash-strapped Barcelona may look to sell Araujo in order to strengthen their squad continues to dominate gossip columns across Europe, with Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha three other players to have been tipped for a summer exit.

Spanish publication SPORT report that Barcelona value Araujo around the €100m mark, and their report positions Bayern as the favourites to conclude a transfer this summer.

Xavi has chosen to remain at Barca / David Ramos/GettyImages

The Bavarians are said to have the financial firepower to offer an 'attractive' salary to Araujo, whose sale could help Barcelona fund the signing of a central midfielder or forward - two positions manager Xavi is keen to improve.

Barcelona's openness to a sale links to the sheer number of options at Xavi's disposal. The Spaniard, who recently performed a U-turn to commit his own future to the club, has Cubarsi, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Inigo Martinez to call upon, as well as emerging young centre-back Mikayil Faye, who has been playing with Barcelona's B team since arriving from Croatian outfit Kustosija in June last year.

Eric Garcia will also be returning to the club after spending the year out on loan, giving Barcelona the freedom to sanction a sale if they so wish.