Another surprise exit? Liverpool does not rule out going for Ronald Araujo

Liverpool did not have a good start to the season by falling to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield (2-2, 3-2 p.). In view of the defensive shortcomings demonstrated in the last match at Wembley and in the summer friendlies (conceding 9 goals in 6 matches), the 'Reds' are looking for a defender with guarantees for this new season.

In that sense, the latest information points to Ronald Araujo as one of the preferred options for coach Arne Slot. If the match against Palace is taken into account, Liverpool has conceded 11 goals in 7 matches before the start of the Premier League, numbers that show that the defensive aspect must be corrected if they want to aspire to the treble in 2026.

In fact, this is the main objective of those from Anfield Road in the season that has just begun. The board has spent almost 300 million on reinforcements and anything other than, at least, revalidating the Premier League title and reaching the Champions League final can be considered a failure.

Liverpool could go for Araujo if Konaté leaves

After the resounding thrashing received by PSG in the Club World Cup (4-0), Real Madrid has been thinking about new options for the defense for the future. One of them is the Frenchman Ibrahima Konaté, who has one year left on his contract with Liverpool and has not yet renewed.

According to 'L'Equipe', Madrid does not rule out making an offer to the English team to acquire Konaté. However, Liverpool will not let him leave this summer for less than 50 million euros. 

On the other hand, the French central defender could arrive at the white club for free next summer, following in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold. In that sense, the 'red' board intends to make an effort to renew him. Otherwise, they could go for Ronald Araujo with an offer in the order of 60 'kilos' in the final stretch of the summer market.

Can Barça accept the transfer of Ronald Araujo?

Beyond the need to raise funds to solve their problems with 'Fair Play' financial, the truth is that Barça is not, by any means, in the mood to listen to offers for the Uruguayan defender.

After his contract renewal until 2031, Araujo's clause remains at 1,000 million euros, although this price dropped to 65 'kilos' during the first two weeks of the current transfer window.

With the departure of Iñigo Martínez, Ronald regains the starting position for 25/26 alongside Pau Cubarsí. Hansi Flick fully trusts the '4', being captain of the team along with Frenkie de Jong while Ter Stegen continues on the sidelines.

Similarly, the player from Rivera does not contemplate negotiating with other teams, since his commitment to the 'culés' is total. Thus, Liverpool will have to look for other alternatives in the final stretch of the market to reinforce their defense.