Barcelona did not strengthen in the January transfer window and lost Memphis Depay and Hector Beirin, but the team did try to add a player, which was unsuccessful due to an 18-second delay in transferring the documents to FIFA. It is about Julián Araujo, the Mexican defender of Los Angeles Galaxy, who will eventually arrive at Camp Nou.
The talented defender who played at Barcelona’s academy in the United States and showed excellent ability in recent years in MLS is expected to fly to Barcelona tomorrow according to Fabrizio Romano, and at the end of a crazy saga with FIFA, he will sign a contract until 2026 at the Camp Nou, when the American team will receive a little less than four million euros for him.
Julián Araujo to Barcelona, here we go! Mexican right back will travel tomorrow to Barcelona — deal finally done after crazy Deadline Day saga. #FCB
Araujo will sign a contract until June 2026, deal agreed with LA Galaxy for bit less than €4m total package. It’s done. pic.twitter.com/iA2JhMNRKn
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 15, 2023
At the transfer deadline, the Catalans managed to close his signing, but the documents did not arrive in time due to computer problems, according to the club’s management. The team turned to FIFA, which did not agree with them at first, and the Mexican who was supposed to join the reserve team and be included in the first team if necessary, remained in the United States.
However, today the turning point came and the Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano as mentioned published that the defender will indeed come and strengthen the Catalans’ squad, when his transfer was closed for two million euros in exchange for 50% of his player’s ticket. In the agreement with Galaxy, Barça could have paid an additional two million euros to win an additional 40%, and the last 10% would have remained with the American club. The Catalans have the right to terminate the agreement at the end of the season and return the player to the MLS club.
In the 2018/19 season, Araujo joined Galaxy’s senior team and has been very good ever since. He was 18 years old (now 21), and during the whole period all over Europe he was noticed, according to what is written in Catalonia. He has played 100 games for the MLS club, scoring two goals and assisting another 14. He has a more attacking than defensive profile, like most of the defenders Barcelona track. This season, he started in 32 of the 35 games in which he participated.
Araujo also has a past in Barcelona, when he arrived at the Galaxy after spending a short time in the Catalans’ academy in the United States. Ex-Barcelona Victor Vassakes has no doubts about him: “He has an excellent future ahead of him, I have only positive things to say about him. He is suitable for Europe.” He made his debut in the Mexico team under Tata Martino, who did not take him to the squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
In the meantime, it’s not every day we get to have a meeting of giants in the Europa League, but as we remember, the draw invited football fans to a matchup that we wouldn’t be surprised to also receive in the Champions League final, when Barcelona will host Manchester United tomorrow (Thursday, 22:00) in the last 32 stage of The second factory of its kind on the continent.
Rafinha Said at the press conference about the opponent: “I expect a difficult game, but this is one of the best to play. I hope it will be a good game. It is a difficult team, but we know what we have to do to win. I think Barcelona and United are two of the best teams in the world. Barca had a period Not good in recent seasons, and also for Manchester. All clubs go through difficult times, but you have to make changes to be the best again.”
On adapting to life in Barcelona: “I’m in my first season at the club and adapting is normal. All new players go through it, but I’m still adapting. I just have to thank my teammates and the coach. It’s normal and it takes time to adapt to new teammates and the league. It’s just a matter of time “.
On trust from Xavi: “It’s important for me to know that your coach trusts you. I’m at a new club and every time the coach and the team trust you, it gives confidence.”
About Anas Fati: “Anas Fati has a very high quality and you know that better than I do. It is normal that he is a bit out of shape and on the decline because he does not play much.”
Xavi He said: “It will be a great game and both teams are coming at their best time of the season. Ten Haah really changed the face of the team because it was difficult for them, but now they are doing a great job. They have a lot of advantages and they can complicate us. I expect a game with a lot of intensity and pace This is Europe and we want to show that we can compete against a European opponent at the highest level.”
He also said about United: “United is a big club, even though they are not in the best period of their history. In the last few weeks they have been really good and it will be very difficult to win the game.”
On the pressure from a possible relegation: “We don’t feel that way, this is Barca. There are challenges every week. We take it in the best way possible, with motivation and desire. We are humble and want to go far in this competition, but we don’t feel any additional pressure.”
On Marcus Rashford: “We don’t look at just one player. We analyzed what they do in attack and defense. They have a very quick defense-attack transition and we need people who can withstand it.”
On who is the favorite: “A lot will be decided at Old Trafford, but I think there will be two very close games. It’s a shame we won’t play the second game at home. I don’t think we’re favorites. There are very good teams in this competition, it’s a very tough competition.”
On the fight for the championship: “We can’t go back now. Maybe I would have changed a few things, but you never know. We weren’t at the level of the Champions League and we don’t need to think about it anymore, we moved on. At Barca, every game is re-examined and there are a lot of demands from everyone.” .