Bayern Munich 'will pay whatever it takes to sign Ronald Araujo'

The Uruguay international has developed into one of the leading centre-backs in world football, and there was huge speculation surrounding his future before he signed a new contract at Camp Nou in April 2022.

Manchester United and Manchester City were among the clubs to be linked with him last year, but Barcelona managed to sign him to a deal until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

There is now fresh speculation surrounding the 24-year-old, with Barcelona's financial problems potentially leading to them considering selling the defender despite his importance to the club.

Bayern have been heavily linked with the South American of late, and according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Bundesliga giants are determined to secure his signature.

Plettenberg claims that Araujo spoke with Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel and sporting director Christoph Freund on Friday to discuss a potential move to Allianz Arena.

Tuchel allegedly told the defender that he wants to sign him 'urgently', and Bayern are willing to pay 'a massive transfer fee' to convince Barcelona to let him depart.

The Bundesliga champions are said to be under no illusions of the size of the task when it comes to convincing Barcelona to sell, with Araujo having to push for an exit for the move to become possible.

Araujo has again been a vital player for his Catalan club during the 2023-24 campaign despite some injury problems, making 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring once in the process.

The centre-back made the move to Barcelona from Boston River in 2018, initially representing the club's B team before making his first-team debut in 2019.

Araujo has now featured on 126 occasions for the La Liga champions, scoring eight goals and registering three assists in the process.

The defender told beIN Sports ahead of last weekend's clash with Atletico Madrid that he does not like playing as a right-back, where he is regularly used by Xavi.

"I don't like to play as a right-back, but as a centre-back [instead]," he said.

Araujo has won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during his time in the Barcelona first team, and he was named in the La Liga Team of the Season for the 2021-22 campaign.