Liverpool have agreed a surprise deal to sign Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan. The 27-year-old centre back, who signed a new contract until 2031 last year, moves to Anfield as manager Andoni Iraola looks to strengthen his options following Ibrahima Konate's departure to Real Madrid.
Araujo will provide cover in central defense and at right back for Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, whose knee injury will keep him sidelined for the opening months of the 2026-27 season. Captain Virgil van Dijk is currently Liverpool's only fully fit senior centre back. Summer signing Jeremy Jacquet, a 21-year-old from Rennes with fewer than 100 career appearances, has not played in pre-season following shoulder surgery. Joe Gomez suffered a muscle injury in the pre-season opener, while teenage defender Giovanni Leoni is recovering from an ACL injury.
Ronald Araujo career at Barcelona
Araujo joined Barcelona B in 2018 before being promoted to the first team in 2019, making more than 200 appearances for the Spanish side. The 6ft 3in Uruguay international captained Barcelona to the LaLiga title last season, but has fallen down the pecking order behind Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin.
He has taken the opportunity to join the Premier League with more than two weeks remaining before Liverpool's first competitive match. Araujo was sent off during Barcelona's 3-0 Champions League defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November. He also traveled to the World Cup with Uruguay, but a training injury kept him from playing in North America before Marcelo Bielsa's side exited in the group stage.
Liverpool face Monaco on Sunday in pre-season and Cesc Fabregas's Como a week later, before opening their campaign against Newcastle on August 23. Araujo becomes the third major arrival at Anfield this summer, following the signings of Jacquet and winger Victor Munoz.
