Liverpool are reportedly interested in Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo a potential replacement for Virgil van Dijk if the Liverpool star doesn’t renew his contract.
According to Relevo, Liverpool have been ‘linked’ with a move for the Barca centre-back – despite him signing a new contract which keeps him at the Catalan club until 2031 in January. This comes at a time when Van Dijk is into the last few months of his stay at the Merseyside.
The report adds that Araujo has a Barcelona release clause that runs until July 15, with various sources saying he could leave for €65 million (£55.3m) or €75m (£63.8m), but after that date it ‘skyrockets to astronomical figures’. Time is running out for Van Dijk to extend his stay, else he will become a free agent this summer.
The ex-Southhampon man joined Liverpool in January 2018 for £75 million, a then-world-record transfer fee for a defender reaching back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter.
While Araujo has this lower release clause, it is expected the Uruguayan will be playing at the Catalan outfit next season according to the reports.
Transfer speculation aside, the 26-year-old played all 90-minutes as Barcelona drew 1-1 against Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday night.
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