5 players Barcelona could sign if Ronald Araujo fails to renew contract
If Barcelona are unable to extend his contract soon, Ronald Araujo will become a free agent by the summer of 2023. According to ESPN, Barcelona are hoping he will stay at the club, and it appears Araujo would like to remain at Camp Nou. However, both parties have been unable to come to a suitable agreement for a contract extension.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has discussed (via Mundo Deportivo) the issue of Araujo's deal extension, stating that the club wants him to remain at Camp Nou.
With clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly interested in the 23-year-old, there's also a good chance that the star might hold off signing a new contract if not given the terms he wants.
There's a chance that the Blaugrana can hold onto their young defender, with the club going through a rebuild. Araujo has become an important player at Camp Nou, with the Uruguayan star making 72 first-team appearances for the club, scoring six goals.
The Blaugrana may have to prepare for his potential exit, so let's take a look at five players who Barca could sign if they fail to renew Ronald Araujo's contract:
#5 Milan Skriniar | Inter Milan
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there are only a few days left for Inter to raise the issue of a contract renewal with Milan Skriniar. Previously, it was believed that Inter had no intentions of renewing until the end of the season, so the players can focus on winning the Scudetto. Either way, it looks like Skriniar could continue his career at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Skriniar wants to stay Inter✅
Skriniar says “My contract runs out in 2023, but I think I’ll stay longer,” “I imagine that club directors are happy and want to offer me a new deal.” ✅
Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle United interested ☎️✅ https://t.co/31ER46f6vh
However, if there is no renewal by the the time the transfer window arrives, the 27-year-old's €65 million valuation is likely to drop, making it easier for other clubs to come calling.
Barcelona will certainly find his experience handy, with the star having helped Inter to a Scudetto win last year. There are rumors that Skriniar will take over the captaincy at Inter, especially if Samir Handanovic does not remain captain next season. Skriniar could potentially remain with Inter, especially with the potential of this heightened responsibility.
#4 Alessio Romagnoli | AC Milan
Having joined the club since 2015, it looks like Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli is set to leave the club at the end of this season. Tutto Mercato recently reported that Milan's latest offer to extend Romagnoli's contract has not been accepted. Other clubs in Italy, like Lazio and Juventus, have shown interest in signing the star, while Sevilla and Newcastle also have him on their radar.
#Tuttosport: Alessio #Romagnoli asks for a salary of €3.5M, #ACMilan offers €2.5M and #Lazio offers €3M for a five-year contract.
📰 #Tuttosport: Alessio #Romagnoli asks for a salary of €3.5M, #ACMilan offers €2.5M and #Lazio offers €3M for a five-year contract. https://t.co/6IBwwwKoPM
With his contract due to expire soon, Romagnoli would be an affordable, quality signing for Barcelona. The Rossoneri captain has flourished at the club in recent years, joining when he was just 20 years old, and rising to the level of captain at the start of his prime years. This season, Romagnoli has played 25 games in all competitions for Milan, but isn't expected to keep playing at the San Siro for much longer.