Man Utd tipped to sign Barcelona star, club want €80m before June 14 | OneFootball

Manchester United could swoop for the signature of Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo in the coming weeks, according to Spanish publication Sport.

Araujo has been one of La Liga’s most consistent centre-backs, but he could head for the exit door with the Blaugrana aiming for a big-money departure.

Sport (page 16) claim Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Araujo are players the club could consider for a summer sale.

However, De Jong, Lewandowski and Raphinha have revealed their desire to stay, and Araujo is the most likely candidate to secure valuable funds.

The Catalans are eyeing at least €80 million for a transfer. United and Bayern Munich are on the prowl to sign the highly-rated star.

Barcelona prefer to part ways with Araujo before the start of the 2024 European Championship on June 14.

Araujo would be an ideal replacement for Varane

The Red Devils are preparing for a change in the heart of the defence. Raphael Varane’s contract expires on June 30, and there are no plans to prolong his stay.

The club are reluctant to trigger an extension clause due to his high wages while the hierarchy have not opened negotiations over a new deal with a pay cut.

With his injury record, it appears the Red Devils have decided to release him.

Araujo would be an ideal successor to Varane. The 25-year-old has a passing accuracy of almost 90 percent this season with 65 percent of his duels won.

The Uruguayan has also registered 2.6 clearances and 4.2 ball recoveries per game. He is a right-sided centre-back but can also operate from the right-back role.

However, Araujo has a knack for picking up injuries like Varane. He has missed 68 games for club and country since the 2020/21 season.

On that basis, United should avoid making a huge outlay for him. Considering their financial status, the club is unlikely to pay €80m without player sales.

United shouldn’t pay more than €50m for Araujo this summer.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com.