With just a week remaining before the start of Barcelona's 2023-24 pre-season, the club's sporting management is focused on reducing the squad size. One player who may not be part of the team at the Ciutat Esportiva is Julian Araujo. Barcelona is actively seeking an exit for the Mexican player, and recently Feyenoord has expressed interest in acquiring his services.
Feyenoord, the reigning Eredivisie champions, are in urgent need of a right-back, and Araujo has emerged as one of the three candidates on their shortlist. The other options are Joshua Brenet from Twente and Hugo Siquet from Standard Liege. Brenet and Siquet have had impressive seasons, attracting attention from multiple clubs. Signing either of them would require a significant financial investment. In contrast, Araujo presents a more affordable option for Feyenoord. Since joining Barcelona in the winter transfer window, Araujo has yet to make his debut for the first team and has mainly played for the Mexican national team.
Araujo enjoys significant support within the Mexican national team, and Feyenoord has received excellent reports about him, particularly from Santiago Gimenez, their current striker. However, there is speculation that Gimenez himself may leave Feyenoord, as several Premier League clubs, Portuguese giants, and even Sevilla and Atletico Madrid have expressed interest in signing him.
While Barcelona's coach, Xavi, prefers to have an established right-back in the squad, the team does have several options for that position. Alongside players like Jules Kounde, Sergi Roberto, and Sergino Dest, who has returned from his loan spell at Milan, Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde can also be utilized as full-backs.
Additionally, Barcelona is in contact with Ivan Fresneda, a player from Valladolid, as Xavi's primary target to reinforce the full-back position. Negotiations with Fresneda are at an advanced stage, and the only remaining step is to balance the financial aspects of the transfer and subsequent registration.
Xavi has publicly praised Araujo's attitude, but it is evident that the player is in need of more playing time, having recently moved from Major League Soccer to Barcelona. However, Barcelona may not be the ideal team to provide him with the desired minutes on the pitch.
This week, Feyenoord is expected to make a final decision and secure their preferred choice for the right-back position. The outcome of these discussions will determine Araujo's immediate future, whether he remains at Barcelona or joins the Dutch club for the upcoming season.
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