Exclusive: Arsenal and Chelsea set to miss out on 'world-class' defender with next 24 hours crucial
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Arsenal and Chelsea have both shown an interest in signing Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo this month but look set to miss out him to Juventus, TBR Football can reveal.
Araujo has been a target for Premier League clubs for some time now but as yet, has not moved on from Barcelona.
In England, Chelsea are big fans of Araujo, while there’s been suggestions that Arsenal are also ready to make an offer for Araujo before the window closes.
However, according to TBR Football sources, both Chelsea and Arsenal look likely to miss out on the Uruguayan defender.
Juventus pushing hard to sign Ronald Araujo after Chelsea and Arsenal interest
TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can reveal that while Chelsea and Arsenal have an admiration for Araujo, no bid has been lodged yet.
Despite Chelsea’s long-standing interest, no bid has been lodged in the past week.
Further, it is Juventus are pushing hard to land him and have made offer for loan with option, TBR Football can confirm.
We understand Barcelona are going to hold more talks with Araujo in the next 24 hours and if it is apparent the he will not sign a new deal, the La Liga giants will sanction his exit.
Juventus looking for two centre-backs this month, while they also hold an interest in Tottenham target Randal Kolo Muani.
Why Ronald Araujo was tipped to become one of the best in the world
Plenty of players come along over time who are tipped for superstardom but Ronald Araujo has very much been tipped for greatness by more than one person.
Indeed, former Barca striker Luuk de Jong is a big fan of Araujo.
"When I played at Sevilla, he made his debut for Barcelona in a game against us. I immediately thought: this is a world-class player in the making," De Jong said in 2023.
"He was just 20 at the time. Uruguayan, fast, strong, also good on the ball. He is now 24 and will be the best defender in the world for the foreseeable future."
Reports from Mundo Deportivo claim Araujo knows of Arsenal’s fresh interest, which means seeing Araujo go to Juventus will be a bitter blow to the Gunners.
