Journalist claims Barcelona board and Hansi Flick are in dispute over possible sale of star defender
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick and the board are reportedly in disagreement over the potential sale of centre-back Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan has been a key player for the side over the years but is currently out injured.
Araujo, 25, has contributed eight goals and five assists in 150 games across competitions but hasn't played this season due to a hamstring injury, which is expected to keep him out till at least January
He's contracted to the Camp Nou till 2026, but Araujo has been the subject of interest of multiple clubs. Considering his stature as one of the game's best centre-backs, Barca are hopeful of raising enough cash from his sale to alleviate their financial woes. However, Flick doesn't want to see Araujo go, creating a rift with the board.
Okdiario's chief pundit Eduardo Inda told El Chiringuito (as per Tribal Football) that sporting director Deco and club president Juan Laporta want to raise €60 million from Araujo's sale, but Flick is resisting that:
"(Sports director) Deco and (president Joan) Laporta want to sell Araujo in the winter market. They consider that 60 million (euros) can be raised, which would help to alleviate the economic situation of the Barca, who would have problems even to pay for the stadium.
"The coach has said that despite having four first-level central defenders such as (Andreas) Christensen, Íñigo Martínez, Eric García and (Pau) Cubarsí. There is trouble because the board wants to sell him, and the coach flatly refuses."
Araujo contributed a goal and two assists in 37 games across competitions for Barca last season.
What's next for Barcelona?
Barcelona have had a superb start to life under former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick, who arrived this summer to replace the legendary Xavier Hernandez.
Flick's side have won nine of 11 games across competitions, including eight of nine games in La Liga, where they lead second-placed holders Real Madrid (21) by three points, losing one.
Barca's only other loss this season came in their UEFA Champions League opener at AS Monaco, losing 2-1, before they bounced back with a 5-0 home victory over BSC Young Boys.
Since that win, Flick's side beat Alaves 3-0 away in La Liga, where they are back in action this weekend, with a home game with Sevilla on Sunday (October 20). Three days later, they host Flick's former side Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.