FC Barcelona has loaned Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo to Liverpool for next season, the two clubs announced Monday.
Barcelona did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. According to the Spanish press, Liverpool will cover the player's salary and hold a purchase option worth 55 million euros, or 63.5 million dollars.
Barcelona said in a statement that it and Liverpool FC had agreed to loan Ronald Araujo until June 30, 2027, and wished him luck.
Araujo signed a contract extension with Barcelona in January 2025 that runs through 2031. He will look for the playing time in England that he has lacked in Spain, having lost his place in Hansi Flick's lineups as young Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi became the main fixture at the back.
Physical setbacks last season
Araujo, 27, played in just 35 matches across all competitions last season. He was affected by mental exhaustion that led him to step away from the game for several weeks in late 2025 with Barcelona's support, returning in January 2026. He still trailed defenders such as Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin in the pecking order.
He was called up by Marcelo Bielsa for the 2026 World Cup but did not play a single minute because of physical problems.
A depleted Liverpool defense
Araujo joins a Liverpool side that, after Ibrahima Konate's departure to Real Madrid, now has only Virgil van Dijk as its sole fully fit central defender, following injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni.
Araujo said he was eager to get started and was very, very happy. He added that he was excited to be at such a huge club with so much history, to meet his new teammates, to begin playing, and that he was motivated and ready for what comes next.
Liverpool, now managed by Spaniard Andoni Iraola, also has young defender Jeremy Jacquet on its roster. The Frenchman signed from Rennes in July but has yet to be tested at the English club.
