Liverpool Make €60M Bid for Barcelona Star Ronald Araújo as Van Dijk Successor
In a significant development that underscores their intent to reinforce the backline, Liverpool have submitted a formal offer of €60 million to Barcelona for star defender Ronald Araújo, according to reports from El Nacional. The move is seen as part of Liverpool’s plan to find a long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk, whose contract is set to expire this summer.
New head coach Arne Slot is believed to be a strong admirer of Araújo and has earmarked the 26-year-old Uruguayan as the ideal candidate to anchor Liverpool’s defense moving forward. Araújo’s blend of strength, pace, aerial ability, and tactical awareness makes him one of the most highly regarded central defenders in Europe.
From Barcelona’s perspective, the deal offers much-needed financial relief. With Joan Laporta’s administration under continued pressure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements, selling a major asset like Araújo could help stabilize the club’s finances and allow for reinvestment in other priority areas.
Despite Araújo’s importance to the squad, Barcelona’s growing depth in defense—thanks to players like Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, and Iñigo Martínez—could ease the impact of his departure. Internal discussions reportedly suggest that Laporta is open to negotiations if the financial terms are favorable.
For Liverpool, securing Araújo would represent not just a direct replacement for Van Dijk, but also a bold statement to rivals that the club is serious about building for the future under new leadership. The bid also reflects their broader strategy of blending proven quality with long-term planning.
Negotiations are ongoing, but should both clubs reach an agreement, Araújo could become one of the headline defensive signings of the summer window.
