Barcelona move to secure Araújo future before €60m clause opens door

Barcelona are entering a decisive phase regarding the future of centre-back Ronald Araújo. The Uruguayan defender’s current contract includes a €60 million release clause that will become active for a two-week period starting on 1 July, forcing the club to act swiftly.

According to Mundo Deportivo, once the clause becomes active, Barcelona will be unable to block any bid matching the €60 million figure. The decision will rest solely with Araújo, who would have the right to accept or decline the offer without the club’s intervention.

Deco and Flick united on Araújo: “He must stay”

Sporting director Deco and new head coach Hansi Flick are reportedly in full agreement: Araújo is essential. Mundo Deportivo reports that both figures consider the 25-year-old the club’s most complete defender, and his sale this summer is not being considered under any circumstances.

Since Flick’s arrival, defensive solidity has been at the heart of his vision. Araújo’s physicality, aerial dominance, and leadership traits have been identified as critical both for the current setup and Barcelona’s long-term plans. Flick views him as non-negotiable in the rebuild.

A year of setbacks — and a reset

The 2024 calendar year has not been straightforward for Araújo. A serious hamstring injury during the Copa América sidelined him for the first half of the season. Upon returning, while he often wore the captain’s armband, he struggled to regain full match rhythm and was unable to consistently retain his place in the starting XI.

Still, according to El País, Barcelona see the 2025–26 season as a “reset year” for Araújo. The club expects him to re-establish himself as the defensive leader and restore the form that previously made him a cornerstone of the backline.

Depth planning: García and Martínez set for extensions

Barcelona are also working to reinforce their defensive depth. According to AS, the club plans to extend the contracts of both Eric García and Iñigo Martínez. The decision reflects a wider transfer strategy: maximise internal stability at the back while allocating limited funds toward attacking reinforcements.

AS also notes that Luis Díaz and Marcus Rashford are among the names being considered for Barcelona’s offensive rebuild. Any major sale — especially in defence — would directly impact that strategy.

Player's stance: Araújo wants clarity before clause activates

Currently away on international duty with Uruguay, Araújo is not looking to leave Barcelona. As per Mundo Deportivo, the player prefers to stay and is eager to reach a decision before the €60m clause becomes active. This could give Barcelona a narrow window to lock down his future and avoid market uncertainty.

In an increasingly competitive defensive market, retaining a profile like Araújo — combining athleticism, technical quality, and institutional identity — is a priority. For Barcelona, the next few weeks will be critical in keeping one of their most valuable assets on board.