Ronald Araujo’s Liverpool transfer is nearing official confirmation.
The defender is set to join the Anfield club on a season-long loan with a €55 million option to buy.
He can operate as both a centre-back and a right-back. While his injury history raises concerns, Araujo was regarded as one of the top centre-backs globally just a couple of years ago.
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Although circumstances have changed since then, if Araujo can regain his form at Liverpool, he might prove to be one of the most significant signings of the season.
This unexpected deal raises questions about Andoni Iraola’s precise intentions for the Uruguayan. However, after a few days of contemplation, Araujo’s move could end up being a masterstroke.
Ronald Araujo could serve as a temporary solution before Liverpool re-acquires Jarell Quansah
As is well-known, Liverpool’s defensive situation has been troubling over the past few seasons.
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With the departures of both Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have both exited, their defensive stability has diminished further.
While signing Araujo seems logical, some fans are concerned given he has been compared to Darwin Nunez among centre-backs.
Nonetheless, the fact that this is a one-year loan deal, accompanied by an option to buy instead of an obligation, offers some reassurance.
If Araujo fails to meet expectations, Liverpool will not face any long-term commitments.
This agreement also enables Liverpool to potentially bring back Jarell Quansah.
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Liverpool retains a buy-back clause in his contract with Bayer Leverkusen, and if he continues to perform well in the Bundesliga, bringing him back would be a viable option.
Being able to play as both a centre-back and a right-back, and qualifying as a homegrown player, Quansah would be an ideal addition.
As he is younger than Araujo, he has the potential to grow into an even better player.
Liverpool’s decision to sell Jarell Quansah questioned
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The fact that Arne Slot rarely trusted anyone outside of his starting XI has complicated matters for Liverpool.
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According to Premier League regulations, clubs must have a complete 25-man squad, including eight homegrown players.
Currently, Liverpool lacks enough homegrown players to fulfill this requirement, potentially leaving them short by one or two players as they head into the 2026-27 Premier League season.
With homegrown talents like Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers being sold for over £115 million, it’s evident that the market for English players is highly competitive this season.
Had Liverpool kept hold of Quansah last summer, he likely would have replaced Konate, allowing Liverpool to save their last non-homegrown slot for another player instead of Araujo.
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While hindsight offers clarity, fans have long questioned Liverpool’s decisions regarding players like Quansah and Tyler Morton.
With less than a month remaining in the summer transfer window, timely deals are essential. Retaining some first-team players from last season would have placed Liverpool in a much stronger position today.
Ronald Araujo‘s Liverpool move is now not that far away from being confirmed.
The defender will be joining the Anfield outfit on a season-long loan with a €55 million option to buy.
He can be used as a centre-back or a right-back and, even though his injury history leaves a lot to be desired, just a couple of years ago, he was seen as one of the world’s best centre-backs.
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Of course, things have changed since then but if the defender can manage to get back to his best for Liverpool, he could end up being one of their most important signings of the season.
However, since this deal came out of nowhere, it’s unclear what Andoni Iraola’s exact plans are for the Uruguayan, however, now that everyone has had a couple of days to think things through, Araujo’s move could end up being a masterstroke.
Ronald Araujo could be a stop-gap option before Liverpool re-sign Jarell Quansah
As everyone knows, Liverpool’s defence has been a major concern for them over the last couple of years.
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And, now that Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have both exited, they’re even less stable at the back.
On the face of things, bringing Araujo in makes a lot of sense but, when he’s been described as the Darwin Nunez of centre-backs, it does add a bit of worry to the thoughts of fans.
However, the fact that it’s only a season-long loan deal with an option to buy rather than an obligation is certainly reassuring.
So, if things don’t go to plan and Aruajo ends up flopping, they won’t have any commitments.
This deal also opens Liverpool up to being able to re-sign Jarell Quansah.
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The Reds have a buy-back clause included in his deal with Bayer Leverkusen and, if he has another season of performing well for the Bundesliga outfit, it’s something that the Reds would certainly have to consider.
He can play as a centre-back or a right-back and, since he’d be homegrown at the club, he’d be a perfect signing.
Quansah is also younger than Araujo so he’d have more time to develop into an even better player than he already is.
Liverpool should have never sold Jarell Quansah
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The fact that Arne Slot rarely trusted anyone outside of his starting XI has really messed things up for Liverpool.
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As per the Premier League’s rules, in order for clubs to be able to have a full 25-man squad, eight of those players need to be homegrown.
At the moment, Liverpool don’t have enough homegrown players to fill those spots which means that they could end up being a player or two down going into the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
And, since homegrown players such as Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers are both being sold for over £115 million, it’s clear that the English tax on players is going to be high this season.
However, if Liverpool kept hold of Quansah last summer, he’d have probably replaced Konate and would’ve allowed Liverpool to use their last non-homegrown spot on someone other than Araujo.
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Hindsight is obviously a wonderful thing but, even when players such as Quansah and Tyler Morton were sold, fans questioned why Liverpool were doing it.
There’s now obviously less than a month left of the summer transfer window so deals need to be confirmed soon but, if the Reds had just kept hold of some of their first-team squad last season, they’d be in a much better position than they find themselves in now.
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