Liverpool are reportedly setting their sights on Barcelona’s Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo as the complexities surrounding their pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi grow.
Under the stewardship of Arne Slot, who was rewarded with a stellar eight-player summer transfer spree after clinching the Premier League title, the Reds were thwarted at the final hurdle to sign Guehi. An eventual agreement with Crystal Palace fizzled out, despite Guehi being mid-medical, marking a disappointing end to an otherwise triumphant window for Liverpool after securing talents like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
With Guehi inching closer to potential pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs come January, Liverpool’s window to swoop is narrowing amidst budding interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, with reports indicating a possible transfer fee ranging from £25 million to £50 million. The potential arrival of other suitors such as Real Madrid further complicates Liverpool’s ambitions to see the England international in a Reds’ shirt.
In the swirl of this uncertainty, Football Insider reveals that the Merseyside club have identified Araujo as a viable alternative. A pivotal defensive figure for Barcelona with a contract extending till 2031, any transfer involving the highly-coveted Uruguayan would demand a significant financial outlay especially if Barcelona’s financial conditions require a reassessment of assets.
Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke highlighted Liverpool’s focus on Guehi. However, the complexity of sealing a deal with the Eagles’ captain, compounded by growing interest from heavyweight clubs across Europe, keeps Liverpool’s forthcoming transfer strategy poised for versatility.
For now, Liverpool appear focused on securing Guehi while keeping Araujo on their radar, as they aim to bolster their defence for future campaigns.
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