Ronald Araujo, in a training session with Barça

BARÇA AND ARAUJO CLOSE THE 'SOAP OPERA'

FC Barcelona 'ties' Ronald Araujo until 2031, with an asterisk in his contract

Published:22/01/2025 - 21:57h

Updated:23/01/2025 - 03:07h

The FC Barcelona board expects to officially announce Ronald Araujo's new contract this Thursday. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 'charrúa' will renew for 5 years, until 2031

Calendar of FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona and Ronald Araujo have reached an agreement in the last hours to extend the Uruguayan international's contract for five more seasons, until June 2031. After a couple of weeks of intense rumors about the possible departure of the '4' to Juventus, Barça resolved the 'soap opera' with a proposal that has satisfied both the club and the defender and his agents.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the agreement will be signed this Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva, although in July there will be a new 'summit' between the parties to define other key aspects, including the salary of the player from Rivera starting from the 2025-26 season. Ronald is not among the Top-8 highest-paid players in the squad, a factor that prompted his representatives to negotiate with other clubs this January.

Araujo will continue to have full control over his future

In this sense, there is an asterisk in the contract extension of the 'charrúa'. The center-back has reserved the possibility to negotiate with other clubs next summer, depending on his prominence in the second half of the 2024-25 season with Barça. In principle, Araujo will remain in Hansi Flick's starting eleven at least until mid-February, when the return of Iñigo Martínez is expected, who is out due to a right thigh injury. 

In addition to Juventus, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and other big clubs in Europe are closely monitoring the defender's future, whose transfer could leave at least 70 million euros in the club's coffers. Thus, the club respects the player's decision to maintain full control over his future and, looking ahead to the summer market, both parties commit to seeking an alternative that satisfies everyone.