Liverpool could save £33m on Ronald Araujo if they make the Uruguayan defender’s transfer permanent in 2027, according to a former club defender.
The Reds hold a season-long loan agreement for the centre-back. This deal includes an option to buy worth €55 million (£45.9 million), Anfield Watch reported.
The current option is valued at about £47m. But TEAMtalk said a 2027 deal could save the club £33m compared to future market valuations.
Shifting priorities at Barcelona may help the pursuit of a permanent signing. The Spanish club is reportedly interested in Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, and this interest could alter the stance on Araujo.
If Barcelona secures Colwill, they may become more lenient on the price for Araujo. The Uruguayan is valued at €55 million. He has been described as one of the club’s best signings this season.
Some concerns exist regarding his injury history. He will also be 28 years old by the time Liverpool can activate the purchase option.
Araujo has performed at both right-back and centre-back. This flexibility comes as the club’s defensive unit may require restructuring.
Liverpool has won 10 of 16 matches under Andoni Iraola. They have five wins in 10 Premier League games. This puts them fourth in the table, three points behind Manchester City.
Some areas of the Iraola squad have failed to meet expected standards. This has led fans to question the value of previous signings. The club has spent more than £600 million on new players over the last few seasons.
Everyone wants Virgil van Dijk to play until he’s 41 like Luka Modric, but not everyone is like Luka Modric. So the time will also come for Van Dijk to leave Liverpool and you need options, you need replacements. You need to look at least five years ahead.
Dejan Lovren
Lovren said the current price for the 27-year-old represents value.
“£47m? Why not? In the near future, he will probably cost £80m, so why not take him at this price and make him an even bigger and better player along the way?” Lovren said.
“I believe the Premier League suits Ronald Araujo more than the Spanish league. Because he is a physically dominant guy, it suits him perfectly,” former defender Dejan Lovren told TEAMtalk said the Premier League is a perfect fit for the physically dominant player and said Araujo likely has five to six years of top-level football remaining.
On October 30, it was revealed that Liverpool could potentially move the permanent signing of Araujo forward to January.