Ronald Araujo to Liverpool transfer update with 'medical booked' as manager speaks out
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Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is close to joining Liverpool on loan. 13:39, Sun, Aug 9, 2026 Updated: 13:45, Sun, Aug 9, 2026 Ronald Araujo has arrived in England to complete his move to Liverpool (Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has confirmed that Ronald Araujo is set to complete a loan move to Liverpool.
Read our Privacy PolicyAraujo has spent the past eight years at Barcelona, amassing 213 appearances and scoring 14 goals, and was handed the captaincy in January following Marc-Andre ter Stegen's loan departure.However, he managed just 16 starts last season and stepped away from the game for mental health reasons after facing fierce criticism in the wake of his red card during the Champions League defeat to Chelsea in November.Araujo returned in January and celebrated lifting the La Liga trophy in May after Barcelona defeated fierce rivals Real Madrid 2-0 at the Camp Nou to clinch the title.Despite this, Flick is willing to let his captain leave, and speaking after his side's friendlies against Nottingham Forest and Udinese on Saturday, he said: "I think Ronald is a great guy and a fantastic player."I think our style of play, that we want to play, is a little bit different. He's a player that has a lot of speed, he's physical and very strong and also with the ball he's quite good."We couldn't include him like I wanted and also I think he wants to make something new.
You know it more than me because in the past, something has happened, so this affected him."I saw him this morning and I said goodbye and I think he was very happy and Liverpool is also a fantastic club. I wish him all the best because he deserves it.The deal will include an option for Liverpool to make the move permanent (Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)"He's a fantastic guy and fantastic player and was a great captain."It is understood the season-long loan includes a £47m option for Liverpool to purchase at the end of the 2026/27 campaign.The Reds are contending with a number of defensive injury concerns as they continue their preparations for their Premier League opener against Newcastle later this month.At centre-back, Gomez faces several weeks on the sidelines with a muscle complaint sustained during the friendly against Sunderland.New signing Jacquet has yet to feature as he works his way back to fitness following shoulder surgery, while Leoni remains sidelined with an ACL injury picked up last September.At right-back, Conor Bradley has been sidelined since January after sustaining a significant knee injury, while Jeremie Frimpong has encountered multiple fitness issues following his switch from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.