Manchester City are currently facing an unprecedented crisis, having secured only one win in their last 10 matches. Pep Guardiola is enduring his toughest spell as a manager and is struggling to cope with the extended absence of key player Rodrigo Hernandez. To address this situation, the club plans to make moves in the winter transfer market to bolster their squad.
Several players in the team, particularly in defense, have underperformed recently. Defenders like Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Nathan Ake have seen a significant drop in their form, leading Manchester City to consider strengthening their defensive options in January.
Spanish newspaper El Nacional reports that one of the top targets for the club is Ronald Araujo, a player who has earned admiration from Manchester City’s coaching staff. His potential arrival is seen as a way to shore up the team’s defense and bring stability, similar to the impact Virgil van Dijk had on Liverpool.
Araujo’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain, as no agreement has been reached regarding a contract renewal (which is set to expire in 2026). Despite his recovery from a serious injury, he is considered a backup option at Barcelona due to coach Hansi Flick’s preference for Pau Coparci and Iñigo Martínez.
In this context, Manchester City would need to offer more than €70 million to secure Araujo, as Barcelona president Joan Laporta is unwilling to sell for a lower price.
