Ronald Araujo's Barcelona future becomes clearer amid contract uncertainty as defender prepares to return from injury

The centre-back's future at the Spanish side has been in doubt for some time, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich said to be monitoring his situation. However, Araujo now appears likely to sign a new deal with Barcelona, Sport reports, with the club expecting him to put pen to paper before the end of the season.

Araujo's current deal with Barcelona expires in 2026 and the Catalan club are prepared to meet with his agent in the coming weeks to wrap up an extension. New coach Hansi Flick has praised the 25-year-old having seen him in training, saying earlier this month: "He’s fantastic. The passes he makes are incredible." Flick's trust is reported to have made the defender warm to the idea of signing an extension.

Araujo has been a key figure in the Barcelona backline, having made 150 appearances for the club. The defender suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Uruguay at the Copa America in July and had to have an operation on the issue, keeping him out of action so far this season.

Before settling his future, Araujo will hope to be back in action before long as he continues his recovery.

"We’re not putting pressure on him," Flick said. "He’s progressing well. He’s improving, he’s increasing the intensity in training, but we won’t put pressure on him because the injury is considerable. But the way I see it, he’s on the right track."