Liverpool are set to sign Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan, with the agreement including an option to make the move permanent, sources have told ESPN.
The 27-year-old Uruguay international has accepted Liverpool’s proposal after deciding he would not receive the playing time he wanted under Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick.
Liverpool’s new manager, Andoni Iraola, has been seeking defensive reinforcements as the club deal with a shortage of senior options. Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet are all working their way back from injury, while Conor Bradley remains unavailable.
Araujo’s versatility is expected to be particularly valuable. Although primarily a centre-back, he can also play at right-back, giving Iraola an additional option while Bradley is injured.
The move would bring a player with extensive experience to Liverpool’s defence. Araujo has made 213 first-team appearances for Barcelona since joining the club from Uruguayan side Boston River in 2018.
Barcelona paid €1.5m for Araujo, with a further €3m available in add-ons. He was promoted to the first team in October 2020 and established himself as a regular in the Blaugrana defence before becoming one of the club’s captains.
However, his position in the side has weakened since Flick’s arrival, with injuries also affecting his involvement. Barcelona currently have Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gerard Martin and Andreas Christensen among their centre-back options.
Liverpool’s need for defensive cover became increasingly clear during their pre-season tour of the United States. Captain Virgil van Dijk was left out of the travelling squad after an exhausting 2025-26 campaign, further reducing the club’s experienced options at the back.
The Reds also lost Ibrahima Konate, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of last season. His departure has left Liverpool short of established defensive experience as Iraola begins his tenure.
Araujo was included in Uruguay’s squad for this summer’s World Cup but did not play for Marcelo Bielsa’s team during the tournament.
The proposed loan would give Liverpool an experienced international defender capable of covering two positions, while allowing Araujo to seek regular football away from Barcelona. For the Catalan club, the agreement would provide a temporary solution for a player whose role had diminished while retaining the possibility of a permanent transfer.
The deal is not yet described as a completed transfer, but Liverpool are close to securing Araujo for the coming season.
