BREAKING NEWS: Reported by a reliable source, Manchester United step up offer to bring Barcelona star to Old Trafford. Manchester United include star player plus cash to see Araujo move to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window. We already know that Raphael Varane is leaving at the conclusion of the season while Jonny Evans’ current deal also ends in June. United are desperate to get a quality center back and Araujo seems to be the perfect man. Manchester United open to including Mason Mount in player-plus-cash deal for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo.
Manchester United’s defense has been problematic all season, prompting reports of a significant overhaul.
Raphael Varane is set to leave at the end of the season, and Jonny Evans’ contract also expires in June. Additionally, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are both rumored to be on their way out as the club’s new co-owners, INEOS, aim to find a long-term partner for Lisandro Martinez.
With tight finances and a greater need to sell players, the club might explore innovative ways to acquire the desired defensive profiles.
Interest in Ronald Araujo
One player frequently mentioned is Ronald Araujo, with numerous reports indicating that Barcelona might be open to selling him under the right conditions. Bayern Munich is also reportedly interested in the Uruguayan, who has so far refused to sign a new contract, supporting the idea that Barcelona might consider a sale.
Swap deals involving Barcelona have been common in rumors lately, with talk of a potential exchange between Bruno Fernandes and Frenkie de Jong, and another involving Mason Greenwood and Vitor Roque.
Recently, F365 reported that Manchester United might include Mason Mount in a player-plus-cash deal to secure Araujo. Mount, who joined from Chelsea last summer but has played sparingly due to injuries, has reportedly been “totally condemned by Erik Ten Hag and Jim Ratcliffe,” with the club seeking a way out for him.
Mount as a Trade Piece
Manchester United has offered Mount plus €55 million in an attempt to persuade Barcelona to part with Araujo. It seems contradictory for the club to have pursued Mount so vigorously last summer, especially amid competition from Liverpool and Arsenal, only to consider selling him after one challenging season.
If Araujo is indeed a target, it will be interesting to see how Manchester United navigates the deal. The club has also been linked with other defenders such as Jarrad Branthwaite, Antonio Silva, and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Given the scope of the planned defensive overhaul, more than one new defender might be needed.
