As Barcelona near the league title with every passing game in La Liga, the preparation for the next campaign begins in full flow.
Having fallen short in both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League, it is clear that there is much room to improve the squad and the board will look to back the manager with promising moves in the summer.
As important as the planned arrivals, however, are the departures and one player who has been linked with a potential exit is the team captain, Ronal Araujo.
Player’s stance
As relayed by Alfredo Martinez in a recent update in SPORT, Araujo is not considering leaving Barcelona in any capacity this summer and does not see his chapter at the club to be over.
The Uruguayan defender, in fact, is convinced that he can turn his situation around and become an important player under Hansi Flick once more.
Araujo is not looking to leave Barcelona. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
He is not discouraged and approaches the future with a sense of belief that he can be a starter.
Araujo is aware that he is currently not at the top of Flick’s pecking order with even the likes of Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin ahead of him. However, he sees the upcoming FIFA World Cup as a golden chance.
He is determined to put on a strong show for his country at the special event, thereby ‘relaunching’ his career at the club level as well.
So far this season, the 27-year-old has made just 10 league starts for Barcelona and has three goals to show in that duration. He averages just over five defensive actions per game and has overseen just two clean sheets.
The club’s stance on his future, thus, remains to be seen as to whether they back him to continue or see it best if he leaves. A decision will likely be made after the World Cup.
