Man United pressing to sign Barcelona key defender, offer to double his wages | OneFootball

Barcelona have made it a priority to resolve the situation of captain and key defender Ronald Araujo, but see it as difficult to reach an agreement over a contract renewal, reports SPORT.

The Catalans believe that the 25-year-old defender’s continuity at the club is very much uncertain, mostly because Manchester United are pressing hard to sign him up.

Manchester United ramping up efforts

Indeed, Manchester United are pushing very hard in the last hours to lure Ronald Araujo from Barcelona. The Red Devils want a new defender and intend to convince the Uruguayan with a salary that would practically double what he can receive in Catalonia.

Manchester United are convinced that Araujo is a safe investment to reinforce a defence that has not been up to the mark in the recent past.

The English giants will not make a definitive approach to Barça until the Uruguayan gives his OK and are waiting to see how his renewal with the Blaugrana progresses.

Araujo is a target for Manchester United. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

If there is no agreement and Araujo is predisposed to leave, United will go all out to sign him this summer.

Barcelona in a difficult situation

Araujo, who had previously rejected lucrative offers from Man United to renew with Barcelona, might see things differently this time around.

From a sporting point of view, the defender has no doubt that Barcelona are his best option and is happy to continue. However, he wants to feel valued by the club after having made financial sacrifices in the past when he renewed in 2022.

Barcelona, facing serious salary cap problems, sent Araujo a contract proposal to increase his salary but it seems insufficient given the player’s importance in the starting eleven.

For now, there has been no response from the defender and his camp even though the club wanted it resolved by June 30.

If he does not renew now, the Blaugrana may be forced to negotiate a millionaire transfer that would be the big exit operation of the summer. In that scenario, Barcelona would demand at least €75 million for their third captain.