Liverpool target £38 million raid on Barcelona defender ‘dragging his feet’ over new contract

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.

And it's claimed the Reds are comfortable with the price tag that's been slapped on the 22-year-old's head.

Who is Ronald Araujo?

Araujo was born in Uruguay and has been playing first-team football since he was 17.

He made his senior debut for Rentistas in September 2016 before completing a switch to Boston River the following summer.

Araujo made 31 appearances for the Primera Division outfit before he was snapped up by Barcelona for €3.5 million in August 2018.

To date, the centre-back has featured 51 times for Barca and scored three goals. He's been a regular so far this season.

Araujo has also been capped five times for Uruguay and was part of their 26-man squad at last summer's Copa America.

What's been said

Araujo is under contract at the Nou Camp until the summer of 2023.

However, El Nacional claims that he is 'dragging his feet' to sign a new deal given the Catalan giants' current financial woes.

Liverpool are claimed to be on alert and monitoring the situation.

Barca value Araujo at around €45 million and Jurgen Klopp's men believe that is a fair price.

The Nou Camp club are said to be aware Liverpool's offer is much higher than what they're currently able to offer.

How likely is it Araujo will sign for Liverpool?

The Reds have shown they're willing to pay significant fees for players they believe have a bright future ahead.

Last summer, Klopp's outfit splashed out £36 million for Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. The Frenchman is already proving an astute signing and is only going to improve at the age of 22.

As things stand, Liverpool are well stocked in central defence. Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips are the current options.

However, there's a high chance that the latter could depart when the January transfer window opens. Phillips has admitted he'd like to depart for regular football elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Gomez has been down the pecking order this season and is still to make a Premier League start.