Manchester United have supposedly ‘bid £50m’ for a highly-rated Barcelona defender, according to reports.
United currently sit 13th in the Premier League and will likely look to bolster their squad this summer as Ruben Amorim has welcomed just two players – Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu – to the club since he arrived at Old Trafford in November 2024.
If United are to make any transfers in the summer, this will likely be funded by outgoings in order to stay within financial regulations.
Earlier this month, Amorim, 40, explained how he was ready to be “honest” with his players regarding their futures at the club.
“We can talk about that [departures] at the end [of the season],” said Amorim.
“When you are honest with someone, they can take it,” he added. “In the beginning, it is hard, but they will understand. So, I’m quite honest with my players and they already know that sometimes they have to move on at the end of the season.”
Now, reports have emerged linking a Barcelona star with United despite him recently signing a new contract at the La Liga club until the summer of 2031.
Centre-back Ronald Araujo is reportedly attracting interest from the Red Devils with Football365 claiming that United are one of three teams – alongside Juventus and Bayern Munich – who have ‘formalised offers for Araujo’ with a supposed ‘£50m bid’ on the table.
If he were to join United, Araujo, 26, would compete with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire for a spot in Amorim’s side.
It is unclear if the Uruguay international, who boasts 21 caps for his country, would be willing to move from Barca to United, especially considering the fact the Red Devils could be without Champions League football next season.
And this is not the first time United have shown interest in the player.
Back in 2018, the defender revealed there were “big offers” from abroad but he favoured a stay in Catalonia.
“I was always certain I wanted to stay,” Araujo told ESPN. “There were big offers from abroad, but I’m happy at Barcelona.”
“[The Premier League interest] didn’t distract me at all,” he added. “I was convinced [by] what I wanted. It’s true money is a factor, but for me it’s not the most important thing.”