Ronald Araújo was injured in Sevilla after a twenty-day absence due to the initial injury he suffered, also in Sevilla, during the match against Betis. Barcelona had to play five games without their competition … And what was an obvious upset for Ronald Koeman He also showed the growth and importance he has acquired in the Uruguayan squad, which in just half a season has gone from being the last center-back to becoming a must-have. Both in the eyes of the coach and in the sports schemes of the club … Or not.
According to the specialized portal Transfermarkt, the value of the plant has quadrupled in the last year, reaching an estimated market price of 20 million euros, which, however, could still be much higher if Barcelona decided to declare transferable, not so much for a sporting issue as if financial, estimating its sale as a possible source of income that in the current dramatic moment that the club is experiencing in economic terms would mean an obvious relief.
It is understood that Ronald Koeman is unlikely to approve such an operation and it can also be assumed that none of the three presidential candidates have plans to make money with Araújo. In fact, sources from two candidacies expressed to ESPN Sports that the player is a firm value in their plans and considered his continuity a fact. But once the new president takes office and observes the reality and economic needs of Barcelona, he will have to make decisions, no matter how difficult they are, and looking at the staff and the profits that can be made from it will be one of the tasks to be done. .
Signed in the summer of 2018 in the Boston River of Uruguay for a maximum value of 4.7 million euros (between fixed and variable) to join the subsidiary team. Araújo’s beginnings in Barcelona were not easy, it took him three months to get a place in the lineups of García Pimienta, although how much he did already became essential. “It was difficult for him to adapt,” recalls an employee of Barça’s youth football team, noting that the Uruguayan “arrived at the age of 19 and had to quickly learn all the concepts”.
Here the discourse agrees with Koeman’s current one. “He likes to learn, he is always attentive and strives like the first” has revealed on more than one occasion the coach of the first team, adding praise such as Gerard Piqué, who considered not too many days ago that with Araújo “Barça has a center for the next ten years.
“He’s like a sponge, he has character on the pitch and this acquaintance of serious, forceful and firm Uruguayan players is in profile,” agrees the same employee of the squad, convinced that his continuity at the club “cannot be questioned.” .
At the moment Araújo has 27 games with the first team and with these it has been enough both to get ahead of Umtiti and to advance Lenglet to the consideration of the fans, who sigh to see him, once again, seated in the ‘axis of defense with Gerard Piqué while waiting for the arrival of Eric Garcia … who will not land at the Camp Nou with the consideration that already has the Uruguayan.
Barça may not win titles this season and some may even consider it a fiasco, but the appearance of Mingueza, of Ilaix and Pedri, the growth of De Jong or the confirmation of Ansu Fati (now injured) is great news in the club’s future plans. All of them and, of course, Araújo.