Liverpool agree mortgage deal for Barcelona star Ronald Araujo

Based on reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have reached an settlement to signal Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo on a season-long mortgage deal.

The Reds are at present quick within the central defensive division. Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are nursing respective accidents, whereas Jeremy Jacquet continues to be in particular person coaching after a shoulder problem enjoying for Rennes final time period.

Virgil van Dijk has been Liverpool’s solely match senior centre-back, however the Merseyside giants have now finalised a mortgage deal for Araujo. All paperwork have been signed and the Reds have additionally agreed on a purchase clause for the Uruguayan.

Andoni Iraola’s aspect will cowl one hundred pc of Araujo’s wages and he’ll journey for his medical on Sunday, with the defender anticipated to bear his examinations on Monday.

Expertise

Gomez’s pre-season damage in opposition to Sunderland had left the Reds quick within the central defensive division forward of the brand new season. The membership have acted rapidly by recruiting Araujo, who ought to present management and loads of expertise.

The South American star has captained the Blaugrana on many events and was a mainstay of their beginning plans till final season when Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsi grew to become the common centre-back decisions for supervisor Hansi Flick.

Araujo has now agreed to affix the Reds within the Premier League with an apparent assurance of normal enjoying time. Jacquet is working his manner again to full health and the Frenchman might have a number of months to adapt to the league’s depth.

In the meantime, Leoni will not be rushed again after a critical knee damage and the identical is the case with Gomez, given his damage proneness. Araujo is an efficient ball-playing central defender and will slot into the best centre-back position, partnering Van Dijk.

It stays to be seen how the 27-year-old fares within the English top-flight. Regardless of his big-game credentials, Araujo is susceptible to the odd defensive error. He picked up an early pink card throughout Barcelona’s 3-0 loss to Chelsea within the league section of the Champions League final time period.

His focus and positioning have come up for scrutiny from the Blaugrana devoted up to now. Araujo’s damage report is one other trigger for concern. He has struggled to remain match over prolonged durations and his health may very well be put to the take a look at with the Premier League’s excessive depth.