Barça holding on to Araujo and De Jong, no plans to sell 'heavyweights'

After officially becoming the new coach of FC Barcelona until 2026, Hansi Flick is now diving into the sports planning that Deco has been working on for some time, with the full support of Joan Laporta. The Blaugrana president was very clear in an interview with Mundo Deportivo on March 21, emphasizing the importance of the young talents at the club. “Young players are safe, we have no intention of selling anyone,” he stated, expressing his hope that Ronald Araujo will accept the contract renewal offer that extends beyond 2026.

The Uruguayan defender (25 years old) is one of the key players in the team whose contract expires in two seasons. The other crucial players are Frenkie de Jong (27), Pedri González (21), and Pablo Páez Gavira ‘Gavi’ (19), who are considered untouchable by Barça and essential for the club’s future success. Barça aims to grow stronger by building on the foundation it already has, without risking its financial stability.

Barça is aware of the interest that Araujo is attracting from European clubs like Bayern, who made two offers in the last transfer window, and Chelsea, who recently joined the race with a lucrative proposal. Araujo has not made his long-term plans clear yet, but in his last public appearance a month ago, he mentioned that he is happy at the club. “Discussions will happen at the end of the season,” he said, referring to talks between his agents and the club. Barça is hopeful that he will choose to stay and play a vital role in Hansi Flick’s new vision for the team.

De Jong has not made any progress in his renewal either, but Barça believes that he can still make the expected leap in quality in his performance after a campaign in which he has only played 30 games due to injuries. They have the same opinion about Pedri, who has remained at 34 and with whose representatives there have already been contacts for weeks to extend his contract. Gavi is another one with whom there are no doubts and his return is expected, although without putting pressure on him, as if he were a signing to multiply the competitive hunger of the squad next season. The absence due to injury of the Sevillian has been one of the great burdens of the season that has just ended.

This content has been translated and adapted from the Spanish version of the digital newspaper