Liverpool secure Ronald Araújo signing from Barcelona amid defensive injury crisis
· Yahoo Sports
Liverpool have wrapped up the acquisition of Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo on a season-long loan.
The Reds are under no obligation to make the arrangement permanent, but retain the option to sign the Uruguayan international outright for £47 million ($63.5 million) should he impress at Anfield.
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Liverpool will cover the player's full wages throughout his time in England, though it is understood Araújo has accepted a pay reduction to facilitate the transfer. No loan fee has been paid to secure him for the upcoming campaign, and club officials are confident he is up to speed physically, having participated in Barcelona's preseason schedule, as per the Liverpool Echo.
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The move was prompted by Joe Gomez pulling up just eight minutes into Liverpool's preseason tour of the United States last month, during a clash against Sunderland in Nashville. Gomez is expected to remain sidelined until at least the end of August, while new £60 million ($81 million) signing Jérémy Jacquet has yet to feature for the Reds, having not played since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury at Rennes back in February.
With teenage defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe ruled out this season due to work-permit complications, sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola had been exploring alternatives before settling on Araújo, who has fallen out of favor at Barcelona.
The 27-year-old's versatility at right-back proved crucial to securing the deal, particularly with Conor Bradley still some way from returning after the serious knee injury he sustained in the goalless draw at Arsenal back in January.
With Giovanni Leoni also several weeks from returning following his own ACL setback sustained in September of last year, Araújo could potentially make his Liverpool bow at Newcastle United on August 23.
He may see action on Sunday against Como 1907 in one of two consecutive friendlies scheduled with the Italian club.
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Araújo has spent the previous eight years at Barcelona after arriving from Uruguayan club Boston River, and Liverpool took into account his leadership credentials after witnessing his appointment as Barca captain in January this year.
The Reds have faced criticism for lacking leaders following the departures of several prominent figures in recent years, and the acquisition of the center-back helps to address that imbalance.
The defender has made over 200 appearances for Barca but slipped down the hierarchy under Hansi Flick, who recently told him he was welcome to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Speaking over the weekend, Barca boss Flick said: "I think Ronald is a great guy and a fantastic player. I think our style of play, that we want to play, is a little bit different. He's a player that has a lot of speed, he's physical and very strong and also with the ball he's quite good.
"We couldn't include him like I wanted and also I think he wants to make something new. You know it more than me because in the past, something has happened, so this affected him.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick called Araújo 'a fantastic guy and a fantastic player' -Credit:Timothy Rogers/Getty Images"I saw him this morning and I said goodbye and I think he was very happy and Liverpool is also a fantastic club. I wish him all the best because he deserves it. He's a fantastic guy and fantastic player and was a great captain."
Araújo faced significant criticism online after being sent off during Barcelona's 3-0 loss to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League in November. He later stepped away for mental health reasons before making his comeback in January.
He represents the third acquisition of the summer following agreements for defender Jacquet and Spain international winger Victor Muñoz (£34.5/$47 million from Osasuna).
Liverpool continue talks with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola, who carries a £140 million ($189.1 million) valuation from the Champions League titleholders. That price tag would establish France international Barcola as the most expensive player in Merseyside history, and the Reds are determined to reduce the asking price for a player who has two years remaining on his Paris contract and is eager to relocate to Anfield.
PSG finalized the acquisition of AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche last week and are anticipated to secure Ajax's Mika Godts, enhancing the squad depth even more for Luis Enrique's attack, which may result in a relaxation of their position regarding Barcola.