Barcelona confident €50 million-rated club captain will stay put amid Liverpool interest | OneFootball

Ronald Araujo came very close to leaving FC Barcelona during the January transfer window, with Juventus pushing hard to sign the defender.

However, after a lot of efforts from Barça’s sporting director, Deco, the Uruguayan international made a U-turn and decided not only to stay at the club but also sign a renewal until 2031.

But, the new contract came with an escape route for Araujo if he opted to leave in the summer, with the Catalans inserting an affordable release clause worth around €65 million.

Given the situation, reports emerged earlier this week suggesting that Liverpool are interested in the 26-year-old, as a potential replacement for their captain Virgil van Dijk.

Barcelona confident Araujo will stay

However, despite the interest from Liverpool, Barcelona officials are very confident that Araujo will not be leaving the club in the summer, reports journalist Miguel Rico (h/t Carpetas FCB).

Araujo is on Liverpool’s radar. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

It has been a frustrating season for Araujo, the second captain at the club, as he spent the first half of the campaign out injured while he has not been a regular starter upon returning.

After all, manager Hansi Flick has installed the pair of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi as his preferred starters at centre-back.

It has limited the Uruguayan international to just 14 appearances in all competitions this season, in which he has chipped in with two goals and assists apiece.

The release clause worth €65 million in his contract is said to be valid until July 15 and the centre-back can decide to leave by then.

While it is clear that Araujo might not be playing as much as he would like, there is no doubt about his commitment towards the club.

As such, there appears to be confidence within the Barcelona offices that the 26-year-old will not consider a summer departure.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.