Barcelona are pushing to sign LA Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo before the European transfer window closes on Tuesday, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
Barça have been watching Araujo for some time and want to sign him on loan first with an option to make the contract permanent due to Hector Bellerin’s possible move to Sporting Club.
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Sources have told ESPN that Araujo, 21, will be signed with Barça’s B team if signed, but the Catalan club believe he could be involved with the first team in the short term.
If Bellerin joins Sporting Lisbon this week – with sources telling ESPN the deal will come as soon as Tottenham Hotspur complete the signing of Pedro Porro from the Portuguese side – and then Barca will be left without a right-back.
Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto and Alejandro Balde have been used in the position this season, often at Bellerin’s expense.
Araujo, who was born in California, has represented the United States at youth level and has one cap for the senior side. However, in 2021, he switched allegiance to Mexico, although he has not played for El Tri since winning his third cap in a friendly against Suriname in June 2022.
Barça hope to close the deal before Tuesday but sources have added that it is a “difficult situation.” A source close to the negotiations in the United States said “it is not behind in any way.”
Araujo has been a regular for the Galaxy over the past two seasons and convincing the Major League Soccer side to allow him to leave early on loan will not be an easy task.
In addition, the operation must be approved by LaLiga, although signing him with the B team could prove a workaround.
Barca were unable to sign Gavi’s new contract last week due to the league’s salary cap, although LaLiga president Javier Tebas confirmed on Monday that the club had “room” to do so. this month after the departure of Gerard Pique and Memphis Depay.
Pique announced his retirement in December and Memphis joined Atletico earlier in January in a deal worth €3 million.
ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle provided this report.
