Arsenal are weighing up a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, according to reports in the Spanish media.

The Uruguayan international has just returned to fitness after spending seven months on the sidelines with a serious hamstring injury.

However, Catalan publication Mundo Deportivo claims that the Gunners are “willing to bid” for Araujo this month, along with Serie A side Juventus.

Barca would have to seriously weigh up selling the 25-year-old due to his contract situation. He has less than eighteen months left on his current deal and no breakthrough has been found in talks over an extension.

How much would Arsenal have to pay for the centre-back?

Araujo does have a €1bn (£840m) release clause in his contract but that was included in his last contract to prevent teams from poaching him.

In past transfer windows, reports have suggested fees up to €100m (£84m) but, considering his contract status and the fact that he isn’t currently a key player, he could be available for a fraction of the price.

Barca are not exactly desperate to keep him. Mundo Deportivo claim that head coach Hansi Flick sees Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez as his first-choice centre-half pairing. The club are also trying to tie down another centre-back, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, to a pre-contract ahead of a move at the end of the season.

Araujo will not be a top priority

Although Arsenal may need to consider strengthening their centre-half options in the near future, any funds this month are likely to be devoted to another position.

With Bukayo Saka set to be unavailable for an extended period, you’d think that the Gunners would prioritise recruiting another winger or even a new No.9. The interest in Araujo does seem to be genuine though.

Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here