FC BARCELONA SIGNINGS 2025
Christensen or Araujo: Barça defines a departure in defense
Published New:18/06/2025 - 03:07h
Updated New:18/06/2025 - 03:07h
Barça needs to raise funds in the summer and one of the areas of the field with the most players is the center of defense. Therefore, Araujo and Christensen are singled out: which of the two will leave?
The FC Barcelona board continues to work on the 'exit operation' for the summer market. In defense, at least three defenders could leave in the summer, including the two substitute full-backs (Héctor Fort and Gerard Martín), as well as a center-back.
And, in this area of the field, Hansi Flick has up to five players for two positions. Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez (the most used duo in 24/25) will start the pre-season knowing they are starters.
Behind them, Ronald Araujo and Eric García will fight for a place in the starting XI. The 'charrúa' missed the first three months of the previous season, but was important in the second half. The player from Martorell, on the other hand, was a real 'lifesaver' for the team, lending a hand as a pivot and right-back when injuries put the squad against the ropes.
In that sense, the name of Andreas Christensen seems relegated to the list of transferable players. The Dane barely played a game in August before suffering two injuries that sidelined him throughout the season. Although, like Eric, he can occupy several positions, several factors condition his future in Catalonia.
Why could Christensen be the 'sacrificed' one from Barça in the summer?
Considering that the 29-year-old defender is coming off an entire injured season, his contract ends in 2026 and he currently earns a gross salary of 12 million per year, his departure seems like a sensible solution for the club's finances.
Hansi Flick was very satisfied with the Dane's attitude during the months he was working away from the group, as well as with the level he showed in the five games he managed to play in the final stretch of 24/25.
Likewise, his experience, professionalism and willingness to try to help the team have never been questioned. Nor has his experience and hierarchy to help a defense often full of youth.
However, Christensen will be the fifth central defender available for Flick and, if an offer comes in for around 10 'kilos', his departure will be inevitable. England and Arabia are the most feasible destinations for the player from Lillerød for now, although there are still no formal offers for his transfer.
Unless there is a surprise, Ronald Araujo will continue to be a franchise player for Barça
With Ronald Araujo, the board and the coaching staff are clear about his role at Barça for 25/26. Beyond the doubts offered by his performance in matches such as the second leg of the Champions League 'semi' against Inter Milan, the club continues to consider him a benchmark and franchise player.
Not in vain, the 'charrúa' renewed last January until 2031. The center-back reserved the possibility of lowering his clause during the first two weeks of the market, but for the moment he has no intention of leaving either.
On the contrary, the '4' hopes to return to full fitness in the pre-season to fight for a starting place. His transfer could leave at least 70 'kilos' in the club's coffers, but this would force the club to look for another center-back in the market.
In Europe, currently, there are few defenders with the quality and talent of the player from Rivera, who also has plenty of youth (26 years old) to leave behind the physical problems that have affected his performance in the last two seasons.
As things stand, Barcelona will do without a center-back this summer and, unless there is a major surprise, the 'sacrificed' one will be Andreas Christensen. As for Héctor Fort and Gerard Martín, everything will depend on the offers that arrive and the position of both players to negotiate.
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