The difference between Araújo and Gavi’s situations at Barcelona

AS understands that Ronald Araújo will not become a free agent on 1 July if Barcelona have not been able to update his contract within the limits allowed by LaLiga. The defender, therefore, does not have the same deal as Gavi, who would become a free agent if Barça can’t keep him within the limits of Financial Fair Play.

In recent days it has been reported that the Uruguay international also had the same clause as Gavi, but this is not the case. In his contract, renewed in April 2022 until June 2026 with a clause of €1billion, the option to be unilaterally released for free if he has not entered the salary limits imposed by LaLiga on 1 July is not specified in any case.

Return of Messi

Barça can therefore resolve the registration of the Uruguayan this summer. It is one of the club’s priorities along with the return of Lionel Messi and the registration of Gavi. Araújo previously made an effort to stay at Barça and the fact that there is no clause avoids temptations from his representatives.

Barça to make sales

Barça know that they are obliged to make sales this summer to resolve all the pending issues, including the registration of Araújo’s new contract. Names like Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati are on everyone’s lips, but there could be surprises. Players like Andreas Christensen, Ousmane Dembélé and Raphinha are also in the shop window and if the right offers come in, transfers will be considered.

The cases of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who would free up a lot of the wage bill if they were to leave, also need to be resolved. The Blaugrana have asked the left-back to take a pay cut and would sign the midfielder to a reduced contract.