Barça have opened the door for Ronald Araujo

Football has changed so much in the pandemic that it’s cheaper to buy than renew, when the deals are linked. Barcelona are in such a complicated financial situation that those in charge of the numbers have their mouths watering at the idea of selling a player like Gavi, who has a release clause of 50m euros or Araujo, who has a 200m clause.

They have come up from the B team or further back and would balance the books. Meanwhile signing players who are out of contract means no transfer fees. The question is, would Barça come out on top?

There come in other factors but it’s clear that they are showing Araujo where the door is. We’ll have to see if they encourage him out of it but right now it doesn’t look great. 

When a committed footballer, who has understood where he is, is playing at the right level and who is 23 years old, looks at his mobile and sees that those who must negotiate his renewal have met with Rudiger and that, in addition, they already have signed Christensen It must be hard to stay calm.

Barcelona are obliged to reinforce their squad and clean up their books but that has to happen without undervaluing those who have kept the team dignified during months of chaos and unknowns. Those who have helped to dream of building something to enjoy. If Barça invite them to leave because they prefer cheaper workers, the message is catastrophic. Not just for Araujo, but for those behind him. Gavi is close behind, but many others too who believe the worst had passed.

Money is not everything in life and in this case there’s no need to say what Araujo means in a sporting sense. He shouts it himself every time he steps on to the pitch.