Barça remains alive in the fight for the treble in 2025, which is shaping up to be a spectacular year. The arrival of Hansi Flick at the Catalan club has changed everything. After several years of inconsistency, the German coach has been instrumental in improving a team that has regained its identity and seen the resurgence of several players who are now at their best.
In addition, the coach has managed to get everyone, as a team, to be alert and 100% focused, and when a key player is unable to play, the B team is performing at a high level. However, it is clear that for Flick there is a starting eleven that is only changed out of necessity or for scheduled rest. For example, Flick has opted for the Iñigo Martínez-Cubarsi pairing in defense, but he has Araujo and Eric García, who are two luxury options for the center of the back line, although the starters are undisputed.
Araújo in the background
As in the case of Raphinha, a few months ago Araújo was more out than in at Barça. In fact, there was speculation that he would leave for Juventus and play in Italy’s Serie A. However, Íñigo Martínez’s injury meant a change of course for Barça’s intentions. Deco, Barça’s sporting director, worked hard to convince the player to renew his contract until June 2031, in which the Uruguayan was quick off the mark and secured the removal of the billion-euro release clause in his contract, replacing it with a new one of $65 million.
With this move, Araújo ensured that he would be able to leave in the future, and he did well because in recent months he has been relegated to the sidelines. As we said, for Flick, his starting center-backs were Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez, and with the return of the latter, Araújo was back on the bench. In recent weeks, due to physical problems among the regulars, he has played a more prominent role, once again showing his talent, which has fueled rumors of his departure.
Araújo’s “suitors”
In principle, Barça’s idea is to retain most of the squad that is performing so well this year. However, its financial situation and the need to make room under the salary cap could precipitate decisions. This is even more so when we are talking about a key position in defense, where there is overbooking and some players will leave on June 30. The most likely to leave is Andreas Christensen, but his injuries and lack of playing time make the move difficult. However, Araújo does have suitors.
The player has accumulated suitors ahead of the summer transfer window. Several Premier League teams have had him on their radar in recent months. Among them are Liverpool and Arsenal, with talk of figures in the region of €65-70 million. A price that, if he does not leave in the summer, will rise to €80 million.
Now a new candidate has emerged and is bidding hard. Bayern Munich is looking for a center back, and with competition for other players such as Jonathan Tah, coupled with the price set by the Barcelona player, they have gone after Araújo. Bayern, like other clubs, wants the player to define his position as soon as possible, as everything depends on him.
Bayern, with Tuchel at the helm, has already done everything possible to sign him and now has the option to do so. A bidding war between the various suitors is expected, but the price is set and everything will depend on where the Uruguayan wants to play next season.