Liverpool do not have €55 million buy option for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo – Romano
· Yahoo Sports
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool do not have a €55 million buy option for Ronald Araujo at the end of his loan spell, meaning the Reds will have to negotiate directly with Barcelona if they decide they want to make the defender’s move permanent.
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Romano’s update clears up an important detail surrounding the Uruguay international’s transfer to Anfield.
Reports following Araujo’s move to the Premier League had claimed Liverpool possessed an option to buy him for around €55 million.
That is not the case, according to the transfer specialist. Araujo’s agreement is a straight loan with no purchase option, leaving Barcelona in control of the defender’s future once the season concludes.
Liverpool will have to negotiate for Araujo
This could prove significant if Araujo continues to make the sort of impression he has made during his opening weeks at Liverpool.
The 27-year-old has started only two matches since arriving, but those appearances have been enough to win over supporters and demonstrate his value to Andoni Iraola’s side.
His latest performance came in Liverpool’s 2–1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid, where he produced a backheel assist for Dominik Szoboszlai’s equaliser.
Iraola has also praised Araujo’s experience and ability to operate in different defensive positions, suggesting the Uruguayan is becoming a useful component of Liverpool’s squad.
€55m buy option reports dismissed
The reported €55 million figure has been linked with Araujo since his departure from Barcelona.
Some reports suggested Liverpool could trigger that clause at the end of the campaign and secure his services without further negotiations.
Romano’s update directly contradicts that version of the agreement.
Simply put, if Liverpool want to retain Araujo beyond next summer, they will instead have to agree on a transfer fee with Barcelona.
Araujo has made a strong impression at Liverpool. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Reports have already suggested that the Premier League club could consider paying more than €50 million to complete a permanent deal.
Araujo already open to staying at Anfield
The situation could become particularly interesting if the defender’s strong start continues.
Araujo is settling into life at Liverpool well enough to envisage remaining at Anfield beyond his initial loan period.
That gives the Premier League side another reason to explore a permanent agreement, although Barcelona’s position and valuation will ultimately be central to any deal.
For now, there is no €55 million shortcut available to Liverpool. If they decide Araujo is worth keeping, fresh negotiations with Barça will be required.