Araujo extends his contract with Barcelona until 2031
The centre-back, wanted by Juventus, will remain in Barcelona, as will full-back Gerard Martín
A busy morning at the Barcelona offices at Camp Nou, as full-back Gerard Martín and centre-back Roland Araujo signed their renewals with the Catalan club. The Uruguayan had a big one, as not long ago he seemed ready to sign for Juventus. But a conversation with the sporting director, Deco, was enough to get the situation back on track, to the point that the player will remain with Barça until 2031.
With Íñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí established in the centre of defence, with Koundé (who plays more as a right-back with Flick) and Christensen as well, Araujo understood that he was having trouble getting minutes at Barça , the club he chose a few years ago when he signed for the reserve team from a Uruguayan second division. The then technical secretary Ramon Planes saw a lot of future in him and he was not wrong, as the footballer demonstrated when he was promoted to the first team, a fast and physical centre-back who does not stand out with the ball at his feet but does stand out in corrections, also a full-back when playing against Madrid to keep Vinicius on a short leash as Xavi, the previous inhabitant of the bench, liked. Now, without Íñigo Martínez due to injury, Araujo has returned to the centre of defence.
After winning the Super Cup, against Madrid, Deco spoke to Araujo to convince him that there was no place like home, that the proposals from Juve and Arsenal could offer him more money but not more time. The player accepted these words to sign his renewal for six more seasons, now that the player is 25 years old. Araujo was accompanied by his family and agents, who successfully closed the meeting with the president Joan Laporta, as well as the vice president of sport Rafa Yuste, Deco and the director of the football area Joan Soler.
Before Araujo, Gerard Martín also sealed his continuity with Barça , also accompanied by his parents and grandparents, as well as his agent. The full-back, who has had minutes under Flick, extends his contract until 2028. Renewals in line with what Barcelona has imposed, concerned about retaining talent. This was done recently with Marc Casadó and is wanted with Pedri and Gavi. Meanwhile, Iñigo Martínez and Robert Lewandowski will see their contracts automatically extended in the coming months when they reach the games played established in the clauses. Of course, there remains Lamine Yamal, with whom there is a good rapport to continue with Barça.
