Barcelona face competition from Premier League sides for €20m winger target

On Wednesday, it was reported that Barcelona are showing interest in Maximiliano Araujo, one of the stars of the 2024 Copa America so far. The 24-year-old is considered to be a Plan B option in the event that Nico Williams cannot be signed from Athletic Club, and he would be significantly cheaper than the Spanish international.

Araujo has a €20m release clause in his contract with Toluca, and according to Diario AS, that would be the price needed to sign him this summer. The Mexican giants do not intend to negotiate down the price for the Uruguayan, meaning that Barcelona would likely need to pay €20m as a one-off payment.

Further complications could arise in Barcelona’s pursuit of Araujo, as the report also states that Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are in talks with the player’s representatives. No offer has yet been made, although they are expected to come soon, likely after Araujo’s contribution at the Copa America comes to a close.

It remains to be seen whether Araujo is a serious target for Barcelona. At €20m, he’s a good price, although there is a risk that he won’t be able to make the step up from Mexican football to La Liga. However, he’s showing himself fantastically on one of the biggest stages in international football, which should eliminate some of those doubts.