Araujo signs contract extension at Barcelona amidst Premier League links

Barcelona and Ronald Araujo have extended their relationship for three more years beyond 2023.

Barcelona and the Uruguay international have been in talks for months over a renewal of the defender’s contract.

Previously set to be out of a contract in 2023, Araujo, who was receiving offers from all around Europe, especially the Premier League, is now one of Barcelona’s most important players.

It is understood that the 23-year-old defender is one of seven players who are untouchable in the squad according to president Joan Laporta. The others are Pablo Gavira ‘Gavi’, Pedri Gonzalez, Nico Gonzalez, Anssumane Fati, Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres.

And Barcelona have rewarded his importance to the squad with a new three-year contract and a reported €4 million-per-annum yearly salary. The release clause for his contract is set at €1 billion, the same as the others on Laporta’s untouchable list.

This new deal will see Araujo remain at the club until he is 27 years old. The club said in a statement announcing the agreement: “FC Barcelona and the player Ronald Araujo have reached an agreement to renew his contract until 30 June 2026. The buyout clause stipulated is set at €1 billion.

“The signing of the new contract will take place on Friday 29 April at 1.30 pm CEST on the field at Camp Nou.”

The defender is the 179th La Masia talent to feature for the Barcelona first team. This season, he has racked up 39 appearances, which could have been more if not for injuries along the way. Those appearances have taken his total to 78 for the club since his first-team debut in 2019.

Araujo has scored four goals from the heart of Barcelona’s defence this season and is also a constant threat in the air any time Barcelona have a set-piece opportunity.

Araujo speaks on renewing contract at Barcelona

The Uruguayan spoke to the club’s media after the announcement. He reminisced on his arrival at Barcelona in 2018, his debut in 2019, his time in the senior squad and how the fans and club staff have made him feel at home.

“It is a huge amount of happiness to stay here, to be able to renew with Barça. It is the result of a lot of work,” he told Barca TV.

“Thank God for this possibility. I thank my family, the club, my teammates who always made it easier for me; also the technicians who have helped me since I arrived.

“When I arrived at Barça B it was tremendous, everything looked very big. Today, I have played more than 75 games and it is an enormous satisfaction.

“It is a huge happiness that people shout ‘Uruguayan’. I remember that, when I first went to the Camp Nou, they shouted it at Luis Suárez and I hoped they’d shout it at me someday.

“The fans have always supported me from the beginning and make me feel happier, help me do my job well and I can always feel their support behind me. I hope many titles can come to give joy to all these fans.

“When I arrived at Barça B, I tried to get involved in a team that was already assembled and had been together for a long time. Getting into that group was difficult but with my way of being, I got involved.

“When I got to the first team, I tried to be myself and not change anything. That is very important because people respect you and they know they can count on you in any situation on or off the field. It is important for me to be myself to help my teammates.

“The fact that I am shouting means that I am helping, it helps me feel concentrated in the match and helps the team. They tell me that they feel good whenever I am helping by shouting with good intentions.

“I feel good and loved by the group, the people and by the club. I’m very happy.”