Aston Villa are reportedly eyeing a summer move for Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, as per Spanish outlet Sport. Villa’s manager Unai Emery and sporting director Monchi were recently spotted at Barcelona’s temporary home, Montjuic, during their match against Valencia. During their visit, they had informal discussions with Barcelona officials about the Uruguayan defender.
Emery and Monchi conveyed that Villa plans to make an official bid for Araujo if they secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, which would guarantee them Champions League football for the next season. With Villa finishing fourth in the 2023-24 Premier League season, they now have the financial backing to pursue the 25-year-old.
Villa aims to present attractive offers to both Barcelona and Araujo, although they are hesitant to meet the €80 million valuation that some at Barcelona believe he is worth. Despite feeling optimistic about Araujo’s potential availability this summer, Villa recognizes that signing him will be challenging.
Additionally, Villa needs to offload players before making significant new signings. Brazilian centre-back Diego Carlos is up for sale, with his agent already reaching out to Premier League clubs. Villa is actively working on submitting a formal offer for Araujo.
Araujo has made 150 appearances for Barcelona since his first-team debut in 2020, and acquiring him would be a significant coup for Villa. His experience and quality are precisely what Villa needs as they prepare for their Champions League campaign. However, Barcelona’s financial woes might force them to sell, and Villa hopes to persuade both the club and the player in the coming weeks.