Liverpool and Chelsea may have to put their plans to sign Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo on hold in the January transfer window, according to transfer journalist Pete O’Rourke. The two Premier League clubs are in need of defensive reinforcements, with Liverpool facing the prospect of a potentially season-ending injury to Giovanni Leoni and missing out on Marc Guehi in the summer. Chelsea, on the other hand, are dealing with Levi Colwill’s ACL injury and a mix of options at centre-back.
O’Rourke suggests that a move for Araujo in January is unlikely, as Barcelona may not want to weaken their squad mid-season while aiming to compete in La Liga and the Champions League. The financial situation at Barcelona will also play a role in any potential transfer, with the club possibly looking to cash in on Araujo next summer. Despite interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, Araujo seems content at Barcelona with a contract until 2031 and a release clause of around £52m.
In a separate report, Graeme Bailey points out that Liverpool may not have an advantage in signing Guehi from Crystal Palace, as all clubs interested in the defender are starting from the same position. Guehi is seen as a highly sought-after Bosman free transfer, attracting attention from major clubs across Europe. The competition for Guehi’s signature is fierce, and Liverpool will have to navigate the transfer market carefully to secure his services.
Overall, the future looks uncertain for Araujo and Guehi as Liverpool and Chelsea continue their search for defensive reinforcements. The upcoming transfer windows will provide more clarity on whether these potential moves will come to fruition, but for now, both players remain key figures in their respective clubs’ plans. Stay tuned for more updates as the transfer saga unfolds.
