Barcelona’s Araujo heads to Liverpool on loan

Barcelona announced on August 11 that they have loaned Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo to Liverpool on a season-long deal. While the Spanish champions did not disclose the specifics of the agreement, reports suggest Liverpool will cover the player's wages and have an option to purchase him for €55 million (RM260 million). Barcelona and Liverpool FC agreed to Araujo's loan until June 30, 2027, with the Uruguayan expressing his excitement about joining the English club.

The 27-year-old, who is under contract until 2031 after returning to Barcelona in 2025, had seen his playing time diminish under former coach Hansi Flick. Last season, he participated in only 35 matches across all competitions due to mental fatigue. Araujo, who was part of Uruguay's national team at the World Cup but did not play, joins a Liverpool side that urgently needs a new centre-back to pair with Virgil van Dijk.

Ibrahima Konate has since moved to Real Madrid, while Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are currently injured. In response to the loan, Liverpool signed young French defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes.