At the start of the season, everything seems to be going well (or almost) at FC Barcelona. The arrival of Hansi Flick allowed the Catalans to start this Liga with a bang with 7 victories in 7 matches. The record held by Tata Martino (8 inaugural victories during the 2013/2014 season) can be equaled this evening in Pamplona against Osasuna. Obviously this good series has eased certain tensions in the locker room or with management, despite the problem in Monaco in the Champions League ten days ago, then the serious injury to Marc-André ter Stegen.
By the end of the year, the German coach can hope to recover a potential starter. Having undergone surgery on the hamstring of his right thigh in July after being injured with Uruguay during the Copa America, Ronald Araujo returned to training on September 13 to begin his final recovery phase. Time is not running out. No precise date has been communicated, not even internally where the central defender is asked to go through the stages one after the other before considering a return to competition. Sport suggests between two and three months.
A hoped-for return at the opening of the winter transfer window
A very long stop which almost cost the defender his registration for the first part of the season in La Liga. His return will more or less coincide with the opening of the winter transfer window, whereas before his injury, Araujo was one of the first players cited to be the subject of a big transfer during the summer window. The tensions on his case have inevitably subsided with his forced passage to the infirmary, but the subject will be put on the table again from January, in the event that he is operational again. A form of cold war is even already taking place between the Araujo clan and the management of Barça.
According to Sportboth parties are avoiding the subject for the moment, but both know full well that it will have to be addressed, especially since the interests of each are not aligned. On the side of the sports management, it is affirmed that the 25-year-old player will not be automatically put on the market. On the other hand, if an offer comes to the table, it will be proposed to him in order to relieve, once again, the club’s finances. Araujo, whose contract ends in 2026, is open to an extension, but at fair value. This was already the case before his injury, he who has not signed anything since April 2022. In the meantime, his value has greatly evolved.
