Araujo starts for Barcelona as Juventus move gets unlikelier

Ronald Araujo’s move to Juventus is becoming increasingly unlikely after Barcelona decided to start the centre-back in their Copa del Rey clash against Betis Sevilla, further confirming their will to keep the player.

The Uruguayan has been at the centre of speculation in recent weeks as the Bianconeri seemed to have made him their transfer priority to replace long-term injured Gleison Bremer.

However, Juventus’ chances of striking a deal suddenly dropped on Wednesday, following reports which suggested that the Blaugrana had persuaded the 25-year-old to stay.

Araujo nearing Barcelona stay after Copa del Rey start

In a subsequent move that made the club’s stance even clearer, coach Hansi Flick decided to include Araujo in his starting line-up for Blaugrana’s Copa del Rey meeting with Betis Sevilla.

After missing months of action through injury, the defender was given his first seasonal start in another cup game earlier this January, as he played 90 minutes against UD Barbastro before also featuring in his side’s emphatic 5-2 win over Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup.

After being forced to look at alternative defensive targets, Juventus are reportedly intent on resuming talks with Milan to sign Fikayo Tomori.