'I'd be surprised if Liverpool don't want to sign him permanently' - Glen Johnson urges former club to trigger £47m Ronald Araujo buy option from Barcelona

Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has urged his old club to trigger the £47 million option to sign Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo permanently from Barcelona. Araujo, who arrived on a season-long loan from the Catalan side on August 10, 2026, has impressed at Anfield, starting six of Liverpool's first eight Premier League matches this term.

The versatile defender has proven effective at both central defence and right-back, a flexibility that Johnson believes makes a permanent move straightforward. Johnson noted Araujo's adaptability in both positions, stating that he "not a natural right-back, but he's quick, strong and willing to do a job for his team." However, Johnson acknowledged that Araujo's tactical flexibility might be temporary, pending the recovery of injured right-back Conor Bradley.

Johnson stated, "I'd see how Conor Bradley is when he returns from injury because I had no doubt that he was going to be the club's first choice right-back until he got that horrible injury." Araujo is expected to partner captain Virgil van Dijk in the upcoming Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday.