Man United given £68 million price tag for La Liga star, could be ideal Branthwaite alternative
Manchester United have been told how much it would cost to sign FC Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo next summer, according to reports.
A new centre-back looks set to be a top priority for the Red Devils as the future of Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, despite his resurgent season, remain uncertain.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer and reports stated the Red Devils were in attendance over the weekend for Everton’s goalless draw against Aston Villa.
Despite the financial troubles that Everton are currently going through, the Toffees had quoted any interested parties £100 million for the signing of the 21-year-old Englishman, according to the iPaper.
Araujo linked
If that is indeed the case, perhaps an alternative will be sought after and one of these could well be FC Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Perhaps it’s an indictment of where football is at nowadays that United could sign one of Europe’s best defenders for cheaper than what Everton would demand for Branthwaite, who is a superb player in his own right.
According to a post on X from German journalist Florian Plettenberg, United have enquired about the availability of the 24-year-old defender as well as hoping to understand more about the contract details in the defender’s contract.
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Bayern Munich also made an enquiry and both sides have been told that the Uruguayan would cost around €80 million (£68 million), which for a defender of Araujo’s quality would be a steal.
Araujo, however, would like to stay at Barcelona this winter but a summer transfer has not been ruled out and he is on the list for the Red Devils but remains the top target for Thomas Tuchel and Bayern.
Barcelona’s stance
HITC Football understands that Barcelona have told interested sides to forget about signing the 24-year-old star in this window or in any future window.
However, you wonder if this stance has softened somewhat due to Barcelona’s financial struggles. Araujo has been a superb defender for the Catalan side and would be the ideal right-sided centre-back to pair with Lisandro Martinez.
The Argentine defender made his return to the team over the weekend and the prospect of the South American pair partnering each other at Old Trafford is certainly a mouthwatering one.
