Arsenal dealt blow as January target makes huge transfer U-turn

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Arsenal have been dealt a hammer blow in their pursuit of Ronald Araujo after Barcelona sporting director Deco convinced the defender to continue his stay at the Camp Nou.

Araujo’s current contract is due to expire in 18 months’ time and speculation has been mounting linking the 25-year-old with a move away from Catalonia.

A serious hamstring injurymeant Araujo was sidelined for the start of Hansi Flick’s reign and the new Barca boss landed on a settled centre-back partnership of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi in the Uruguayan’s absence.

This had led to Araujo questioning his place within Flick’s squad and top clubs around Europe were alerted to the situation, with Arsenal and Juventus closely monitoring developments.

Reports emanating from Spain suggested Arsenal were even weighing up a big-money transfer bid for Araujo’s signature to provide cover and competition for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s defence.

But Araujo gave Barcelona fans a timely reminder of his qualities in the side’s resounding Spanish Super Cup final victory over Real Madrid on Sunday after an injury to Martinez forced Flick into an early change in Saudi Arabia.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Araujo case has taken a ‘radical turn’ following Barca’s 5-2 El Clasico win, with Deco ‘unlocking the situation’ during talks with the centre-half on Tuesday night.

It’s claimed Araujo had been ‘determined’ to find an escape route out of the Camp Nou but there is now a chance the defender could sign a renewal ‘soon’.

The report adds that Araujo’s Barcelona team-mates have been ‘putting a lot of pressure’ on him to change his mind and Hansi Flick underlined that he was counting on the Uruguay international prior to the Spanish Super Cup final.

'I want Araujo in my team because he is one of the best defenders,' Flick told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

'He's a professional and is now fit, having recovered from his injury, so he can help us.'

Flick added: 'I have told the team: there is only outside noise, you have to be cohesive and strong. It's a great season, we've done well in general, although we haven't reached the points we wanted.

'It's good to learn from all the games and this is the objective. We have to be focused.

‘We played well for the club and we can do better. It's what we want.'

In the immediate aftermath of Barca’s memorable win, Robert Lewandowski was even spotted telling Araujo to stay on in Catalonia, while Gavi encouraged the club’s travelling support to show their affection to the defender.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER a fortnight ago, Araujo confirmed that discussions were ongoing regarding a potential extension.

'We are talking with the club about my renewal,' he said.

'But I am fully focused on playing again and getting minutes under my belt.'

Asked if he was fully committed to continuing with Barca, Araujo repeated: 'We are talking to the club.'

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