Liverpool are chasing the same centre-back Barcelona want, partly because they haven’t decided what to do with the Barcelona centre-back already in their squad.
Ronald Araujo has started well enough at Anfield for Arne Slot since joining on a season-long loan in August, but neither club wants to force a decision on his £47m buy option. Sky Sports confirmed the terms when the deal was announced last summer: a full-season loan, no loan fee, Liverpool covering the entire salary, and the Uruguayan taking a pay cut to make the move work.
Araujo and the club agree on the approach. Empire of the Kop reports, citing SPORT, that both sides would rather postpone any call until the summer, with Araujo content to wait until the end of the season and Liverpool wary of the size of the commitment.
Araujo’s situation at Barcelona is unusual. He signed a new contract that runs until 2031, but Hansi Flick made clear last summer that the Uruguayan did not fit his tactical approach, which is how a loan became possible in the first place.
Read also: Liverpool star sends unexpected message to Man Utd hero
That slow posture is starting to pinch Liverpool’s broader planning. Virgil van Dijk’s contract runs out in 2027, Joe Gomez’s future is uncertain, and activating the Araujo option is beginning to look like a necessity rather than a luxury.
Barcelona’s January move for Colwill
Enter Levi Colwill.
Barcelona have lined him up as their top January target, driven by injuries that have forced Frenkie de Jong to drop back into the defence. Football365 reports that Chelsea would be open to selling for £65-75m, while Barca Universal, citing Mundo Deportivo, puts the valuation at €80m.
Liverpool have long admired Colwill as a potential long-term Van Dijk successor, and the same reports list them among the clubs ready to move if Chelsea entertain offers.
Read also: Joshua Kimmich makes telling Harry Kane admission after Bayern contract extension
Chelsea do not want to sell
Chelsea are pulling in the opposite direction. The Hard Tackle reports that contract talks are a priority for the new year, with the club keen to secure his long-term future even though his current deal already runs until 2029. Chelsea have no intention of losing the England international, and a renewal would push any asking price higher still.
Colwill, who has captained the side at times, remains central to Chelsea’s plans.
That leaves Liverpool facing two bills in parallel: a £47m decision on a Barcelona defender they already have, and a potentially £75m fight with Barcelona for a defender they want. Chelsea’s planned extension talks with Colwill are pencilled in for the new year.
Read also: Courier backs Alcaraz in the Slam race with Sinner
