LIVERPOOL are set to sign Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo to ease their defensive injury woes.
The shock move for the Uruguayan will start as a season-long loan, but Liverpool will have the option to make it permanent next summer.
Ronald Araujo went with Barcelona on their pre-season trip to the Midlands Credit: PA
Araujo helped Barca win LaLiga in three of the past four seasons Credit: Alamy
Fabrizio Romano claims that Barca have green-lighted the switch, which will be signed off by all parties in the next 24 hours.
Araujo, 27, has made more than 200 appearances for the Catalan giants and helped them win LaLiga in three of the past four seasons.
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He also finished last campaign as the most senior member of the club’s captaincy group following the departure of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
So his signing will go down as a major coup for new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola, who has been left light at the back by injuries.
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Jeremy Jacquet is still recovering from a shoulder problem, Giovanni Leoni is not yet back after an ACL tear, while Joe Gomez has suffered a muscle issue in pre-season.
Add in Ibrahima Konate’s free transfer to Real Madrid and the fact Virgil van Dijk has not played since being given an extended break after the World Cup, and it is clear that the Reds desperately need extra cover at the back.
Araujo was a pillar of the Barcelona squad but only made 11 league starts last season.
The 6ft 3ins defender lost his place in the line-up after manager Hansi Flick zoned in on Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin as his preferred centre-back pairing.
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Injuries have left Andoni Iraola light at the back Credit: AFP
Araujo also missed part of the campaign as he took a break from football to cope with anxiety and depression.
He said after coming back: “Things have changed quite a bit because I’ve learned so much during this time.
“I think it was the right thing to do after that decision I made.
“I feel different and I’m happy about it, because I’m more at ease, happier. I can enjoy what I love to do, which is playing football, and that helps a lot.”
