Barcelona forced to change transfer plans due to injuries to key duo | OneFootball

With the new season a month away, FC Barcelona are already starting to sweat over the fitness of some of their key players.

Pedri suffered an injury last week while playing for Spain at the UEFA Euro 2024 while Ronald Araujo also succumbed to an injury while with the Uruguay camp at the 2024 Copa America. Both players are expected to be out for around six weeks at least.

Furthermore, Frenkie de Jong has yet to recover from his ankle injury and in fact his availability for the start of the season remains uncertain.

Injuries force change in plans

Now, a report from SPORT has come out with an update on Barcelona’s strategy for the summer transfer window.

As has already been established, Barça need at least one important sale in order to be able to sign new players. As such, the names of De Jong and Araujo have been constantly mentioned as possible pawns.

But as per the aforementioned report, their injuries have forced a change in plans from the Blaugrana sporting director Deco.

De Jong’s high salary, his complicated relationship with the board, and his agent not being ‘friendly’ with the club, coupled with his performances not hitting the level expected prompted Deco to consider his sale.

Araujo and De Jong are currently injured. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

But his injury before the end of the season, which led to him missing the Euros and clubs will not be willing to pay a big sum for him – Barcelona were hoping to get at least €60 million. As such, he is now set to stay for another year.

The Araujo case

Araujo, for his part, finds himself in a similar situation as De Jong – his agent does not share a friendly relationship with Barça works against him.

Given that he came through the reserve ranks, Araujo is already mortised and his sale would mean a net profit. Furthermore, there are many centre-backs in the squad and he has clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester United are interested.

Barcelona had hoped to earn around €100 million from the Uruguayan’s sale, but that is no longer possible due to his injury and he will remain at the club until next year.

Araujo’s contract expires in 2026, meaning he will have only one year left on his deal next summer. And Barça would have to renew him with a high salary then or offload him or risk losing him for free when his deal runs out.