Chelsea are willing to pay Barcelona defender Ronaldo Araujo €7m a year (approximately £112,000 a week) if he makes the switch to Stamford Bridge, according to El Nacional.
The Catalan publication reports that the Uruguayan international is being lined up as a potential replacement for Antonio Rudiger, who looks set to leave the Blues at the end of the season.
Araujo’s contract with Barca expires in eighteen months’ time, and so far, Barca have been unable to agree an extension with the centre-back. Amid concerns that they could lose the 22-year-old for nothing, it is believed he could be made available for around €30m (£25m) next summer.
Chelsea are not the only team who are monitoring Araujo’s situation. Other sources have credited Liverpool and Manchester United with an interest in the player over recent months.
However, the Blues are the team who need a new centre-half the most. As well as Rudiger, both Andreas Christensen and captain Cesar Azpilicueta could also move on to other clubs when the campaign ends.
