Thomas Tuchel has reportedly informed Manchester United that if he is chosen to replace Erik ten Hag, he would want the club to prioritize signing Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Manchester United is facing one of its worst starts to a Premier League season, currently in 14th place, which has put Erik Ten Hag’s job at risk. Thomas Tuchel, recently available after leaving Bayern Munich, has emerged as a leading candidate to replace him.
Reports from Fichajes indicate that Tuchel has already discussed potential transfer targets with United’s management, with Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo at the top of his list. A January bid for the Uruguayan defender seems likely, especially given United’s long-standing interest in him.
Araujo is expected to recover from a hamstring injury by late November, making him available for transfer negotiations. During his time at Bayern Munich, Tuchel had also sought to acquire Araujo, but Barcelona prevented any transfers.
Despite being under contract with Barcelona until 2026, Araujo’s difficulties in renewing his deal have led to speculation about his future. Valued at approximately £58.6 million, he is seen as an ideal addition to bolster United’s defense, bringing speed and physicality to address their ongoing issues.
Whether Tuchel will take over at United depends largely on the outcome of Ten Hag’s upcoming match against Brentford. A negative result for Ten Hag could pave the way for Tuchel to step in and prioritize signing Araujo as part of his defensive overhaul.
