Liverpool are set for a busy summer transfer window, with the upper and lower thirds believed to be the priority areas for Arne Slot and the Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes.
Issues in the goalscoring department recently have amplified the noise from fans looking for a new centre-forward, someone prolific who can ease Mohamed Salah’s talismanic burden – should the Egyptian be plying his trade on Merseyside next year, of course.
However, the rear end of the field is just as important, with Virgil van Dijk’s contract also nearing its end. Regardless of whether the all-inspiring captain stays on for the next few years, a new face is needed.
Liverpool lining up new defender
In a report that the Spanish media are labelling a ‘bombshell’, Liverpool have set their sights on Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo this summer, in the event that Van Dijk departs.
As per the report, negotiations over the signing of the towering centre-back are set to ‘intensify’ in the coming weeks.
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Valued at around €60m (£50m) by the La Liga table-toppers, Araujo has been one of the standout defenders in Spain since joining from Uruguayan side Boston Rivers in 2018, growing in strength and stature each season.
Aged 26, Araujo’s prime years should lie ahead of him, and if Van Dijk is to leave Liverpool this summer, this may be the perfect signing.
The perfect Van Dijk heir
Dubbed “one of the best defenders in the world” by one-time Barcelona great Carlos Puyol, Araujo has been a pillar of strength at the back for Barcelona over the past several years, having accumulated 164 senior appearances in total, notably lifting the La Liga title and Copa del Rey titles once each.
Described as an “athletic monster” and a “cheat code” by BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan, the 6 foot 2 Araujo’s combination of power and pace suggest that he’s got what it takes to succeed Van Dijk.
Though Araujo missed the first half of the season due to injury, he’s returned to action since the new year with a fluid and convincing feel that underlines his quality as one of La Liga’s standout defenders, maybe even Europe’s.
Fearsome and athletic, he matches up very well indeed against Van Dijk, widely considered to be one of the best defenders of his generation.
Goals scored
0.04
0.17
Assists
0.02
0.25
Shot-creating actions
1.15
1.34
Touches
87.93
87.16
Pass completion
92%
92%
Progressive passes
5.09
3.09
Progressive carries
0.50
0.25
Tackles + interceptions
2.18
2.51
Clearances
4.03
3.76
Aerials won
2.76
3.26
Moreover, Araujo has won 62% of his duels in La Liga this season, whereas Van Dijk has won 68% in England’s top flight (both sets of data courtesy of Sofascore).
Though Araujo has faced fitness issues in the past, Liverpool’s impressive injury record under Slot’s wing suggests Anfield could be a hothouse from which Araujo could foster his high-level skills and step up to a new degree of quality.
Liverpool’s star centre-back adds a dimension from attacking set-pieces too, and that’s something Araujo could further emulate. The Uruguay international’s injury problems have limited him to just 14 appearances across all competitions this term, but he’s still managed to chip in with two goals and assists apiece.
Ultimately, Van Dijk’s greatness transcends his defensive role, and it would be futile to expect his replacement to provide the same level of quality.
However, were Slot to get his paws on Araujo’s combative quality, there’s every chance that Liverpool will continue to challenge for the most illustrious honours next year.
His La Blaugrana boss, Hansi Flick, has also described him as a “leader” and “one of the best in the world,” after all.
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