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Barcelona will ‘prioritize a move for Julián Araujo on deadline day’ with the Catalan giants ‘seeking a loan deal with a purchase option to replace Héctor Bellerin, who could be on his way to Sporting Lisbon’
Barcelona is prioritizing a move for LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo to replace outgoing right-back Hector Bellerin on the last day of the January transfer window.
Barca hope to bring the 21-year-old Mexican to the club on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season to bolster Xavi’s defensive options, according to reports.
Former Arsenal defender Bellerin has been linked with a move to Sporting Lisbon, and Pedro Porro’s proposed move to Tottenham is one of the deadline day stories so far.
Barcelona are reportedly prioritizing a move to have Julián Araujo replace Héctor Bellerín.
The former Arsenal defender has been linked to Sporting Lisbon to replace Pedro Porro
Reports out of Spain claim that the Blaugrana will focus on bringing the LA Galaxy star to the Camp Nou before the January transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday 31 January.
According to ESPN, the defender would move directly to the club’s B team, but there is a feeling that it would not take him long to adjust to the senior team.
Born in California, the defender has spent his entire career with the LA Galaxy, making 98 MLS appearances, scoring one goal and providing 14 assists.
Araujo (center) switched allegiances from the US to play for Mexico and has earned three international caps.
Having represented the USA at the youth and senior levels, he switched allegiance to Mexico, although he was not named to the World Cup squad.
Barca’s financial constraints will prevent them from spending big money on a defender, which Xavi feels he needs, so Araujo’s loan-to-purchase will become a priority for the Catalan giants.
The Blaugrana were notably unable to register star midfielder Gavi’s new contract at the club, and a Champions League exit is believed to have stalled any progress in their attempts to pull themselves out of financial trouble.
Bellerin struggled for minutes with Xavi, who often played left-back Alejandro Balde ahead of him.
However, with the huge earnings of Memphis Depay and Gerard Piqué now off the books at the Camp Nou, LaLiga president Javier Tebas has revealed that fools have some leeway in the transfer market.
Bellerin’s free transfer to Barca from Arsenal in 2022 has not gone to plan, and he has struggled with playing time, with left-back Alejandro Balde often playing ahead of him in the wing.
Barcelona will postpone the signing of Benjamin Pavard until January
The 27-year-old came through the ranks at La Masia but is now set to leave the club for the second time in his career, with Sporting keen to land a replacement for Porro.
The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Tottenham throughout January and although he initially seemed out of place, he arrived at Luton airport at 2.30am on Tuesday to complete his medical.
Barca were thought to be interested in Bayern Munich’s French defender Benjamin Pavard, though that move is now believed to have become a summer move for the club.
Pavard’s contract at the Allianz Arena runs out in 2024, and the club believe they will be able to sign the versatile defender at a reduced price when he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
The signing of Joao Cancelo on loan with a £61m purchase option could play into Barcelona’s favor as they search for the Frenchman, who will compete with Cancelo for a regular spot at right-back.