Arsenal can ease their losses with Wiliam Saliba by signing Ronald Araujo from Barcelona. There is doubt concerning the Frenchman’s future with the Gunners, and if he was to depart then a new centre-back signing would be pivotal.
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Edu has offered Araujo a deal worth £5m-a-year to join the club the next season. The Uruguayan international is still yet to sign a new deal with Barcelona with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Saliba would be a big loss for Arsenal considering the amazing season he is having at Marseille. However, Araujo has been extremely impressive for Barcelona and would be an excellent rotation option in the Premier League next season.
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Saliba put doubts into his future at Arsenal while on international duty with France. He said: I’ve never hidden that I feel good here. I think discussions will take place, afterward, at the end of May to early June between Arsenal and Marseille.”
“We’ll decide at that point. Staying on here[Marseille] would definitely not be a bad idea, but it doesn’t depend on me.”
Recently the Frenchman told RMC Sport that he found the challenge surprising at Arsenal and expected to be a regular as soon as he joined the club in 2019.
He said: ”Before going to Arsenal, I said to myself I was going to play, I was sure, I was wondering who would play alongside. I arrive, I play zero matches. I played for the under 23’s. That gave me a good slap.”
Saliba has been sent out on loan twice since Arteta took over as Gunners boss which angered sections of supporters as they believed he was ready to be a first-team regular. It has been understandable why he would want a different challenge after not being trusted by Arteta, however, next season is set to be different.
Arsenal only have three centre-backs in the squad currently in Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White, meaning the fourth spot is available which Saliba should be looking to grab with both hands.
However, if Saliba is insistent on joining Marseille, then a move for Barcelona’s Araujo would certainly make sense. He has been important for La Liga side this season, and many fans would see it as a big loss if he was to leave Spain and not sign a new contract.
The 23-year-old has played 52 times for Barcelona and seven times for Uruguay This shows he has already been gaining valuable experience for a young centre-back.
The Preference for Edu should be to do all it takes to keep Saliba at the club. But if this is unable to materialise then a deal for Araujo is a sensible transfer.
