Chelsea have been handed a potential opportunity to bolster their defensive ranks with the signing of experienced Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, according to fresh reports. The Blues are said to be on alert after it emerged that Barca manager Hansi Flick is now willing to consider a sale for the Uruguayan international.
A New Era Under Rosenior
The news comes as Chelsea prepare for their first Premier League match under new manager Liam Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca. The club's form has been mixed, following an FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic with a narrow 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. Rosenior's immediate focus is this weekend's West London derby against Brentford, but the January transfer window continues to loom large in the background at Stamford Bridge.
Exits Required Before Any Signings
Any move for a new player is contingent on Chelsea shifting several squad members first, a necessity driven by Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions. The club is actively seeking new clubs for high-earners like Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, while Facundo Buonanotte's loan from Brighton has been terminated early to allow him to join Leeds United. This pattern of exits-before-entrances mirrors the club's strategy from the summer window.
Should they create the necessary financial space, strengthening the centre-back position is expected to be a priority. The absence of the injured Levi Colwill has highlighted a lack of elite quality in the heart of the defence, making a player of Araujo's calibre an attractive prospect.
Araujo's Situation at Barcelona
The 26-year-old defender, a vice-captain at the Camp Nou, has been a mainstay for Barcelona in recent years, winning two LaLiga titles. However, his involvement this season has been limited to just seven LaLiga appearances, partly due to fitness issues. According to the report from Fichajes, Flick is now open to selling the player, with Chelsea and Liverpool mentioned as interested parties.
However, a January sale is not guaranteed. Barcelona currently sit three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, and selling a senior player of Araujo's stature mid-season could be seen as a significant risk. The defender is also under a long-term contract that runs until 2031, strengthening the Catalan club's negotiating position.
This is not the first time Araujo has been linked with a departure. Last January, Barcelona president Joan Laporta publicly stated his desire for the player to stay, saying, "We want every player we have in the squad to continue... Araújo has a contract and I want him to stay." The situation, however, appears to have evolved under Flick's management.
Chelsea's interest is clear, but the path to a deal remains complex, depending on their ability to sell players and Barcelona's willingness to sanction a mid-season departure for a key figure in their title chase.
