Liverpool have agreed a season-long loan deal to sign Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo as Andoni Iraola moves to address his shortage of defensive options.
The 27-year-old Uruguay international is set to provide cover at centre-back and right-back, with Liverpool facing a number of injury problems across their defence.
According to The Athletic, Araujo’s versatility is particularly valuable to Liverpool, with Conor Bradley expected to miss the opening months of the season with a knee injury. Joe Gomez is also recovering from a muscular problem, while Giovanni Leoni remains sidelined following an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Ibrahima Konate left Liverpool at the end of his contract to join Real Madrid, further reducing Iraola’s options. Jeremy Jacquet, meanwhile, has yet to feature in pre-season after a serious shoulder injury and a subsequent minor issue.
Liverpool agree loan deal for Barcelona defender Araujo
The defensive shortage was evident during Liverpool’s recent tour of the United States, with teenage defenders Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye featuring heavily. Full-back Luke Chambers was also used in central defence, while Iraola acknowledged that his squad was “thin” in the position.
Araujo has been with Barcelona since joining from Boston River in 2018 and has established himself as an experienced international defender. He made 38 appearances for the Catalan club last season.
The move gives Araujo an opportunity to play regularly after falling down the pecking order at Barcelona, while Liverpool gain an experienced option before the start of the Premier League campaign.
Recent reports differ over whether Liverpool will have an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the loan, so that detail has not been included as confirmed.