Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has opened up on the club’s interest in Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo heading into the January transfer window.
Over the past few days, there has been a lot of chatter about Bayern wanting to sign Araujo in the upcoming winter trading period.
In fact reports over the weekend even suggested that the Bundesliga champions’ manager, Thomas Tuchel, had even called and spoken with the Uruguayan international about a possible switch – something that his entourage denied.
Tuchel himself downplayed the rumours of holding any talk with Araujo when asked about it during a press conference.
Bayern Munich director tight-lipped
Now, Bayern Munich sporting director, Christoph Freund, was asked about the club’s interest in signing Araujo from Barcelona in January.
In response, Freund opted to keep his cards close to his chest and not give anything away as he told Kerry Hau (h/t Fabrizio Romano):
“I don’t want to make a statement on that. The transfer window is approaching. Generally speaking — there are some talks, but I don’t want to say anything about that in detail.”
Araujo not for sale
Bayern Munich are desperate to sign Araujo and are understood to have made him their top target.
However, despite what the rumour mill is suggesting, Barcelona have no intentions of selling one of their club captains anytime soon.
In fact, the Blaugrana are planning on offering him a new contract with improved wages and the only way Bayern can think of signing the 24-year-old is if they meet his mammoth €1 billion release clause.