Ronald Araujo/United TV
[마이데일리 = 최병진 기자]Manchester United participated in the recruitment battle for Ronald Araujo (Barcelona).
Bayern Munich, who lost the Bundesliga championship trophy to Leverkusen, is trying to actively recruit players in the upcoming summer transfer market. As they look to strengthen the squad across all positions, Araujo is the central defender’s top target.
Araujo, a Uruguayan national, developed in his country’s league and then moved to Barcelona B team in the 2018-19 season. Araujo made his first-team debut in the 2018-19 season and has been playing as a key defender since, gradually increasing his playing opportunities.
Araujo can play both central defense and right sideback. He has tremendous physical strength and explosive speed, and is nicknamed the Monster. He also anticipates opponent’s attacks with agile movements and boasts a strong man-to-man mark.
Ronald Araujo/Getty Images Korea
Munich has been targeting Araujo since last summer, but the signing fell through as Barcelona insisted on setting a transfer fee of 100 million euros (about 146 billion won). But recently things have changed. It was reported that Barcelona has decided to sell some of its players to solve financial problems and that Araujo can be sold for 80 million euros (about 110 billion won). Accordingly, Munich is trying to make contact again.
However, a variable appeared. Manchester United also expressed interest in signing Araujo. Spain’s Sport explained on the 22nd (Korean time), “If Manchester United is interested in signing Araujo, they will attempt to contact him in this summer transfer market.”
Ronald Araujo/Getty Images Korea
Manchester United suffered from the collapse of their central defense this season. Key defender Lisandro Martinez was absent due to injury throughout the season, as were Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane. Harry Maguire gradually regained his previous prowess, but the defense faltered from the beginning of the season, and Manchester United’s Premier League ranking eventually fell to 7th place.
Manchester United is also paying attention to the lowered transfer fee for Araujo. Moreover, Chairman Jim Ratcliffe, who became the new owner of Manchester United, is showing his intention to strengthen the team through massive investment in the upcoming summer transfer market. Competition with Munich to recruit Araujo is quite possible.
Reporter Choi Byeong-jin [email protected]
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