Liverpool insists on Ronald Araujo as a replacement for Konaté
Published New:15/09/2025 - 22:25h
Updated New:15/09/2025 - 22:25h
After a record market, with almost 500M in signings, Liverpool still has several 'cracks' on its radar. One of them is Ronald Araujo, a substitute with Barça in the last 2 league games
Ronald Araujo has had a complex start to the season with FC Barcelona. The '4' was a starter and captain against Mallorca (0-3) and Levante (2-3), but he stayed on the bench against Rayo (1-1) and Valencia (6-0) by decision of Hansi Flick. In that sense, Liverpool does not rule out making a move for the 'charrúa' in the next winter market.
The latest information points to the interest of the 'reds' as a possible replacement for Ibrahima Konaté. The French central defender's contract expires in 2026 and, for now, he is reluctant to renew. In addition, Real Madrid is after the Gaul, looking to sign him for 'free' in the summer.
Konaté, for the moment, is untouchable in the rear for coach Arne Slot. Hansi Flick, on the other hand, continues to rotate his pieces in defense, with Eric García being the only one who, for the moment, has been a starter in the four league games.
Ronald Araujo's price will drop again in the winter market
Understanding that Araujo, at 26 years old (he will turn 27 in March), may rethink his future in Barcelona if he loses prominence, Liverpool has him on their radar and could present an offer, even in the coming winter market.
The 'reds' did not start the 25/26 season well in terms of defensive performance. The team conceded 6 goals in their first 3 matches, although in the last 2 Premier League games they managed to keep their goal undefeated.
Similarly, at Anfield Road they would try to take advantage of the fact that Ronald's exit price, as happened in the summer, drops in the first 10 days of each transfer window. The Uruguayan renewed until 2031, keeping his termination clause at 1,000 million euros.
However, that amount will drop to 80 million at the beginning of 2026 (it was €65M in July of this year). This would be the minimum to negotiate with a Barça that, at the beginning of 2024, rejected a similar offer from Bayern Munich. The one from Rivera, for the moment, has no intention of leaving, but if both Eric García and Pau Cubarsí relegate him to the bench, the '4' may change his mind.
For the moment, Araujo is the first blaugrana captain, along with Frenkie de Jong. Both the coaching staff and the dressing room value his experience, talent and leadership, adding 177 official appearances with the first team.
Liverpool needs another central defender after the failure with Marc Guéhi
In the summer market, the 'reds' spent almost 500 million on signings, but there was a player who escaped them in the last hours of the transfer window. Although those from Merseyside stayed with Alexander Isak, they failed to sign Marc Ghéhi. The Crystal Palace central defender gave the 'Ok' to Liverpool, but his club asked for more money.
"I would have liked to sign him, of course, because we were interested in him and, if we feel that we can strengthen the team with an opportunity in the market, we will not hesitate to do so; we always try," commented Arne Slot on the failed signing of the Crystal Palace defender.
The good news for Liverpool with Guéhi is that, like Ibrahima Konaté, his contract expires in 2026. However, his renewal is not yet ruled out, as the 25-year-old player prefers to leave the 'eagles' on good terms, contributing money to the club's coffers.
The Palace paid just over 20 million to Chelsea for his transfer in 2021 and, this year, rejected offers from Liverpool for around 40 'kilos', €5M below Marc's current market value. Ronald Araujo, for now, is listed for around €35M on Transfermarkt, half of what he was worth in mid-2024.
