The topic of contracts has dominated discussions regarding Liverpool Football Club in recent months, particularly as three of Arne Slot’s crucial players are set to become free agents at the end of the season.
Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah have all been key regulars this season, yet their contracts will all expire in June.
On a positive note, discussions with Van Dijk and Salah have yielded progress, with both players about to sign extensions until the summer of 2027. This development is a significant boost to the team’s ambitions for securing Premier League success next season.
In contrast, Trent appears likely to leave and join Real Madrid on a free transfer after the season concludes, bringing his 20-year association with his childhood club to an end, much to the dismay of the supporters.
This potential exit would create a considerable gap in the first-team defense, though it seems the club’s management is promptly making moves to secure a capable player to fill this void in the upcoming season.
Liverpool Plans £85m Bid for Defensive Talent
Reports from a Spanish outlet suggest that Liverpool is preparing a €100m (£85m) summer bid for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo to bolster their defense.
The 26-year-old has appeared in 16 matches across all competitions, contributing four goals and assists, while being versatile enough to play both centre-back and right-back positions.
Despite facing an injury-plagued season, Araujo has still impressed, which is evident from Liverpool’s eagerness to pay a large fee for his services. The report indicates that the chance to play in the Premier League could be too appealing to decline, although it remains to be seen if Barcelona is willing to let him go.
This hefty investment could prove beneficial for Slot’s squad, especially considering Araujo’s impressive statistics from the current season, signifying his ability to improve the team’s prospects.
Why Araujo is the Ideal Hybrid of Van Dijk and Trent for Liverpool
With Trent’s potential departure and Andy Robertson’s recent decline, the Reds’ defense requires urgent reinforcements, making this summer crucial for Slot.
Van Dijk has been a pivotal figure in the backline, aiding the team in securing five major trophies since his arrival in January 2018. However, he has often lacked a reliable partner in defense, with Ibrahima Konate proving to be error-prone, as demonstrated in last weekend’s loss to Fulham.
Araujo could emerge as the world-class partner that has been missing, with current manager Hansi Flick recognizing him as “one of the best in the world.” His ability to also play right-back means he could cover for Trent should he depart, showcasing superior statistics compared to the current defenders.
Defensively, Araujo has surpassed Liverpool’s current players, winning more tackles per 90 minutes and excelling in aerial duels, thereby adding the necessary strength in defense that has been lacking lately.
Should he be acquired, Araujo would not only fill the gap left by Trent’s departure but would also enhance the overall quality of the backline, significantly aiding in Slot’s ambitions of capturing more silverware at Liverpool.
