Barcelona boss Xavi has all but confirmed that Ronald Araujo will sign a new contract at Camp Nou.
The Uruguay international has been a key player for the Catalan giants during the 2021-22 campaign, making 34 appearances in all competitions, contributing four goals in the process.
Araujo’s current deal with Barcelona is due to expire in June 2023, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future in recent months.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with the centre-back, but the Catalan side reached a breakthrough in contract talks this week.
Xavi hailed the South American’s decision to stay at Barcelona when questioned on the 23-year-old ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg with Eintracht Frankfurt.
“For us it is a guarantee to be able to count on him. Barça has a central defender for 10 years or more. He is improving. The key has been him. He is very happy at Barca, I am delighted with him. He is a hard worker, very sacrificed, and he is a great person. His decision has been to stay at Barca, and I think he is right,” Xavi told reporters.
Araujo’s fresh deal at Camp Nou is expected to run until June 2026, while Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed on Twitter that there will be a €1bn (£830m) release clause in the agreement.
