BARCELONA are open to “listening to offers” for Ronald Araujo with Manchester United setting their eyes on the defender.
Araujo has become a key player for Barcelona since breaking into their first team in the 2019/20 campaign, having now made almost 150 appearances for the club.
But, amid the fallout from his red card in the crushing Champions League quarter-final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, the La Liga are reportedly considering cutting Araujo loose.
The 25-year-old received a straight red card for fouling Bradley Barcola in the first half of the second leg.
Barca were looking set for a semi-final spot at the time, leading 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.
But the red shifted momentum in PSG’s favour, with the Parisians netting four times to go through.
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Ilkay Gundogan publicly called out Araujo in the aftermath, with the Barca dressing room said to now be ‘divided into four clans’.
And Spanish outlet Sport are now reporting Xavi’s side “will listen to offers” for the Uruguayan centre-back.
It is known that perennially cash-strapped Barcelona need to sell a player this summer to balance accounts.
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The report claims Araujo is one of the players whose sales would generate more profit.
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Barca are convinced that they could get an offer of up to £86million, given the interest from United.
The Red Devils are long-term admirers of Araujo, and it is understood the club would be at the front of the queue to sign him if he became available for transfer.
Barca are confident they have enough defensive cover should he depart following the emergence of 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi.
Considering Araujo signed with the Blaugrana in 2018 for £1.4million the Catalan giants can expect a hefty profit.
Victory his never been less glorious than this for Man Utd, says Dave Kidd
By Dave Kidd
PROBABLY only Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United could book a place in an FA Cup final while hanging their heads in shame.
Minutes after the final whistle of this ridiculous semi-final, Coventry’s magnificent underdogs were performing a lap of honour to their cheering fans — while most of United’s players and supporters had disappeared.
Then the Wembley PA system started blaring out ‘Glory, Glory Man United!’ and everybody started laughing out loud.
Victory has never been less glorious.
As a party-starter it, fell flat. As a stab at dark humour, it was sensational.
Even by United’s standards of low farce this was ridiculous.
Now even the unlikely scenario of a final victory over City is unlikely to save Ten Hag’s job.
After all, Louis van Gaal was axed days after United last won this competition in 2016 and his side were never as bad as this current lot.
Read Dave Kidd’s thoughts on the game in full here.
Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
