Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has confirmed that the club had no intentions of selling defenders Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen during the summer transfer window.
Statements from Laporta
Laporta stated, “We never planned to sell Ronald Araújo or Andreas Christensen this summer”, putting to rest any speculation about the future of the two key players.
Background on Ronald Araújo
Ronald Araújo, a 24-year-old centre-back, has been a significant presence in Barcelona’s defence. He has been with the club since 2018 and has recently been involved in positive contract extension talks, as reported on 18 April 2024. Araújo also focused on his international duties with Uruguay during the Copa América, amidst ongoing speculation about his future at Barcelona.
Background on Andreas Christensen
Andreas Christensen, also a central defender, confirmed his commitment to Barcelona for the upcoming season back in April 2024. The Danish international joined Barcelona from Chelsea and has been a reliable figure in the backline since his arrival.
Previous Speculations
- On 22 June 2024, Araújo was focused on the Copa América amidst speculation about his future at Barcelona.
- On 20 April 2024, Christensen confirmed his stay at Barcelona for the next season.
- On 12 April 2024, Barcelona’s manager Xavi emphasised the importance of keeping Araújo at the club.
- On 22 March 2024, Laporta expressed confidence in retaining Araújo despite interest from Bayern Munich.
Laporta’s recent statement aims to clarify the club’s stance and assure fans of the stability in their defensive lineup.