Ronald Araújo was injured in Sevilla after twenty days off due to the initial injury he suffered, also in Sevilla, during the match against Betis. Barcelona had to play five games without its competition … And for what it was an obvious disturbance Ronald Koeman He demonstrated, on the other hand, the growth and significance that the Uruguayan acquired in the Barça team, which in just half a season went from being the last central defender to becoming essential. Both in the eyes of the coach and in the sports schemes of the club … Or not.
According to the specialist portal Transfermarkt, the value of the plant has quadrupled in the last year, reaching an estimated market price of 20 million euros, which, however, could be considerably higher if Barcelona decided to declare it transferable, not even so. much for both a sporting and financial problem, estimating its sale as a possible source of income which in the current dramatic moment that the club is experiencing economically would mean an obvious relief.
Ronald Koeman is unlikely to approve such an operation, and it can also be assumed that none of the three presidential candidates has any plans to make money with Araújo. In fact, sources from two nominations told ESPN Deportes that the player is a firm value in their plans and considered his continuity a fact. But once the new president takes office and observes the reality and economic needs of Barcelona, he will have to make decisions, no matter how difficult they are, and examining the staff and the revenue that can be obtained from him will be the tasks to be performed.
Signed in the summer of 2018 on the Boston River in Uruguay for a maximum value of 4.7 million euros (between fixed and variable) to join the subsidiary team. Araújo’s beginnings in Barcelona were not easy, it took him three months to win a place in García Pimienta’s groups, although as soon as he did, it became essential. “It was difficult for him to adapt,” recalls an employee of the Barça youth football team, noting that the Uruguayan “has reached the age of 19 and must quickly learn all the concepts.”
There the speech agrees with Koeman’s current one. “He likes to learn, he is always attentive and strives first”, revealed the coach of the first team on several occasions, adding compliments such as those of Gerard Piqué, who considered not too many days ago that with Araújo “Barça has a power plant for the next ten years.
“He is like a sponge, he has the character on the field and the profile of that knowledge of serious, strong and firm Uruguayan players”, agrees the same youth employee, convinced that his continuity in the club “cannot be questioned”.
At the moment Araújo has 27 games with the first team and with those it was enough both to pass in front of Umtiti and to advance to Lenglet in consideration of the fans, who sigh to see him, again, placed in the axis of defense with Gerard Piqué waiting for Eric García to arrive … That he will not land at the Camp Nou with the consideration that the Uruguayan already has.
Barça may not win titles this season and some may even consider it a fiasco, but the appearance of Mingueza, of Ilaix and Pedri, the rise of De Jong or the confirmation of Ansu Fati (now injured) are magnificent news in the future plans of the club. Everyone and, of course, Araújo.