Barcelona’s Araújo Convinced to Stay After Meeting with Deco

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo has decided to stay at the club after a pivotal meeting with sporting director Deco on Tuesday, a source confirmed to ESPN. The Uruguayan international had been considering his future amid interest from Italian clubs, with his contract set to expire in 2026.

Araújo’s commitment to Barcelona comes after teammate Ilkay Gündogan urged him to “must stay” during celebrations following Barça’s 5-2 victory over Osasuna on Sunday. Club president Joan Laporta also confirmed on Tuesday that the club was actively working to persuade the 25-year-old center-back to remain at Camp Nou.

According to a source, Araújo’s hesitation stemmed from several factors, including stalled contract negotiations and the club’s interest in other defenders. His camp had been seeking terms promised by former sporting director Mateu Alemany, but talks had progressed slowly. Additionally, a hamstring injury sustained during last summer’s Copa América sidelined Araújo for the first half of the season, leading to his temporary replacement by Andreas Christensen and Jules Koundé.

Barcelona’s pursuit of Athletic Club defender Iñigo Martínez, whose contract expires this summer, further fueled Araújo’s uncertainty. However, Martínez’s recent injury, which will keep him out for four weeks, has provided Araújo with an opportunity to reclaim his starting role under manager Hansi Flick.

The next priority for Barcelona is to extend Araújo’s contract to avoid the risk of losing him on a free transfer in 2026. The defender, who joined Barça from Uruguayan side Boston River in 2018, has made over 150 appearances for the club and played a crucial role in their 2022-23 LaLiga title victory.

“Ronald has always prioritized staying at Barcelona,” the source told ESPN. “The club is now focused on securing his future and ensuring he remains a key part of the team.”