Barcelona have announced that Ronald Araujo has signed a new contract until June 2031, officially ending the speculation surrounding the central defender's future.
The Uruguay international's previous deal with the Catalan giants had been due to expire in June 2026, and Juventus are believed to have made at least one offer for him during the January transfer window.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also said to be long-term admirers of the South American, with all three said to have been keeping a close eye on his situation at Camp Nou.
However, Barcelona's director of sport Deco is believed to have played a major role in convincing Araujo to sign a new deal, and the defender is now contracted to the La Liga team until the end of the 2030-31 campaign.
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Barcelona confirm new contract for Araujo
"FC Barcelona and Ronald Araujo have reached an agreement on an extension to the player's contract, tying him to the club through to 30 June 2031," read a statement from the Catalan giants.
"His winning mentality and supreme defensive skills quickly made him a fan favourite, and he is now regarded as one of the best centre backs in the whole world. Not only that, but he has also proved his worth as a full back too.
"He has amassed 154 appearances for the first team, scoring eight goals and giving six assists, which is an excellent record for a defender. His titles included a Liga and a Copa del Rey, while this season he has been promoted to second captain."
Araujo made the move to Barcelona from Boston River in 2018, and he has represented the Catalan giants on 155 occasions in all competitions, including five outings this term, having recovered from a serious hamstring injury.
"Honestly, I'm very happy, thank God. It's a great feeling to be able to renew my contract with Barcelona for many more years," Araujo told reporters after the new contract was confirmed.
"Happiness, great happiness. I worked hard to achieve this and I think we succeeded and I'm very, very happy, Obviously the club trusts me too and that's important. It means I'm doing a good job and the work is productive and I'm very happy.
© Imago
Araujo targeting 'great years full of titles'
"I hope to have great years and full of titles, that's the most important thing, to win and continue to grow as a professional. I know how important I am to this team, and I think I can give a lot.
"I think we have something pending and that is to win the Champions League and that is the biggest goal that we will strive to achieve, for sure. I am very happy. I have now been here for six years. I think that with time, I have won everyone's love."
Barcelona have two contracts expiring this summer, with Inigo Martinez and Wojciech Szczesny only having deals until the end of the campaign.
However, 12 players are out of contract in June 2026, including Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Gavi, and Barcelona are working to sign the key trio to fresh deals.
Matt Law
