Barcelona respond to Chelsea and Manchester United approach for Ronald Araujo

Barcelona have told Manchester United and Chelsea that they want in excess of €100 million (£84.6m) for Ronald Araujo, according to reports in Spain.

Both Chelsea and United are in the market for a new central defender this summer and the Uruguay international is on their shortlists.

The Premier League duo were hoping to capitalise on Barcelona’s financial situation, with the Spanish club needing to sell in order to finance moves for their own transfer targets, one of which is the Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger Nico Williams.

However, Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona are standing firm over Araujo’s availability and will not consider selling the 25-year-old unless they receive a transfer fee above €100m (£84.6m).

The report claims that Chelsea, United and Bayern Munich, who tried to sign Araujo in the January transfer window, have all made approaches for the defender.

Speaking in March, Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, made it clear that the club’s preference would be to keep Araujo, whose contract expires in 2026.

‘I would renew him for life,’ Laporta said.

‘He’s a wonderful person. He is one of the best centre-backs at the club.’

When asked this week if he could guarantee that he would be playing for Barcelona next season, Araujo replied: ‘I am 100 per cent focused on the Copa America.’

United have since turned their attention to signing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

It’s understood that the 24-year-old, who started just 16 Bundesliga games last season, is open to a move to United.

Bayern are holding out for a €50m (£42m) fee for De Ligt, who is currently with Netherlands’ squad ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final tie against Turkey on Saturday.

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