According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, FC Barcelona are reportedly facing significant difficulties in their efforts to sell Uruguayan centre-back Ronald Araújo this summer.
In a clear attempt to generate interest and attract suitors, the Catalan club has lowered their asking price for the defender to a seemingly reasonable €50 million ($58.7 million). This represents a considerable reduction from his previous valuation.
However, despite this move, the club has so far failed to attract the concrete offers they were hoping for, leaving them in a challenging position.
The push to sell a key player like Araújo stems from Barcelona’s urgent and well-documented need to raise funds. The club must generate capital to balance its finances and, crucially, to successfully register their new summer signings, such as Marcus Rashford.
While the reduced transfer fee might seem appealing for a player of Araújo’s quality, his substantial wages are likely a major stumbling block for many potential buyers. Furthermore, some clubs may hold reservations regarding his recent form and injury record.
The inability to find a buyer for one of their most valuable assets is a worrying sign for Barcelona. It highlights the difficult market conditions they face and significantly complicates their summer transfer plans, as they were likely counting on his sale to fund other activities.
Barcelona are now in a race against time to find a solution for Araújo and generate the much-needed funds before the transfer window closes.