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Liverpool have moved to strengthen their defensive options by signing Uruguayan international Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from La Liga champions Barcelona, with the option to make the deal permanent for a fee in the region of 55m euros (£47.1m).
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During his loan, the Reds will cover the majority of his wages, which will help the Blaugrana with their stretched finances.
Araujo could be a shrewd signing
Although the Uruguayan international has had his well-documented issues, Araujo could prove to be a highly shrewd signing for Liverpool.
Araujo is a highly experienced centre-back who has featured in the Spanish top flight since the 2019/20 season, having joined the Catalan giants in 2018 from Boston River in his homeland.
Since making his Barcelona debut, the centre-back has made over 200 appearances for the reigning La Liga champions.
Not only does he bring vast experience, but he also brings pace and strength, as well as being a physical presence in both boxes.
A welcome signing for the Reds
The signing is a welcome one for Liverpool, who have been relatively quiet in the transfer market this summer. Araujo’s was only the third signing of the summer after the arrival of Victor Munoz from Osasuna and Jeremy Jacquet, although the latter was arranged last January.
Liverpool have been heavily linked with PSG and France winger Bradley Barcola. However, there are conflicting reports over the future of the 23-year-old, with PSG’s reported asking price of £145m proving to be an obstacle to signing Barcola.
Elsewhere, the Reds were in need of central defensive reinforcements, so Araujo’s signing has come at the right time. The Merseysiders lost Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Fellow centre-backs Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are also still sidelined through injury. Meanwhile, Jacquet has only recently returned to training following injury.
That means the only match-fit centre-backs are Virgil van Dijk and Araujo, which could leave new head coach Andoni Iraola with a headache if either gets injured.