It was over a year and a half ago when Ronald Araujo extended his contract with Barça until 2026, with a release clause of €1 billion.
The Uruguayan international signed the new agreement after rapid negotiations in which he agreed to make financial concessions to stay at the club.
Araujo turned down Manchester United
Now, SPORT is reporting that in the process of renewing his contract at Barcelona, Araujo also went on to reject an astronomical contract proposal from Premier League’s fallen giants Manchester United.
Indeed, despite having a firm offer from Manchester United to become their defensive leader, he declined their lucrative proposal which would have doubled the salary that he earns at Barcelona.
Araujo was signed at Barcelona by former technical secretary Ramon Planes for €1.7 million from Boston River. Despite the risk, this move turned out to be a real bargain for Barça.
Araujo’s initial contract ran until 2023, and the Catalans set about ensuring his continuity as early as 2021. The departure of Planes from the club impacted negotiations, and Manchester United seized the chance to dissuade him from renewing his contract.
The Red Devils offered to sign Araujo for a good transfer fee in 2022 or on a free transfer in 2023. The player’s representatives were contacted and urged to accept the proposal.
Barcelona, given their Fair Play situation, were not in a position to offer lucrative terms to the defender. But it was then that Araujo himself ordered his agents not to listen to anyone and to accept the Blaugrana’s contract offer, before going on to sign it a few weeks later.
Araujo does not want to leave
Despite their failed attempt, Manchester United are understood to retain an interest in Ronald Araujo. More recently, Bayern Munich have also entered the fray for his signing as well.
However, the Uruguayan international, who is one of Barcelona’s captains, has no intentions to leave the club anytime soon. He wants to continue in Catalonia and make his mark as one of the greatest defenders in history.
Meanwhile, Barça also regard Araujo as an ‘untouchable’ and have made it a priority to offer him another new contract with improved wages soon.
