Barcelona came close to selling €70m ‘fundamental’ player before his injury

Barcelona are confident that they can reinforce their team for the next season even without selling any of their current players. This is at least the case for the signing of Nico Williams, but more signings, like that of Dani Olmo, might require the Blaugranes to part with some of their players.

The Catalans were already aware that they will have to sell one of their important players to raise the required salary space and get the cash needed to make new signings. Players like Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araujo have all been linked with moves away from the Blaugrana club for this purpose.

According to SPORT, Barcelona were most prepared to part ways with the defender, Ronald Araujo. The negotiations for his renewal have not been going very smoothly, and the Catalans believed that his agents were looking for a sale that will benefit all the involved parties.

In such a scenario, Deco was also convinced that a sale would be the best way forward, but Joan Laporta was not too keen to part ways with Araujo, whom was once described as ‘fundamental’ by Xavi Hernández. The President believes he is the leader of the defence and has played an active role in ensuring his renewal.

But Laporta was also close to agreeing to a sale before the defender suffered an injury while on national team duty, and thus closing the door on any transfer.

Things had reached a boiling point as Manchester United came up with a massive offer for the player. The Red Devils were ready to make an investment of more than €250 million for the defender, but the injury suffered by Araujo halted any ongoing negotiations.

Now, Barcelona are looking to focus their attention on renewing the centre-back, as they do not want him to enter his last year of contract without an extension. Neither Frenkie de Jong nor Raphinha want a move away from Barcelona, and the former’s injury also puts closes any doors to his departure.