Deco addresses Araujo future amid Bayern Munich, Manchester United links

The 24-year-old has blossomed into one of Europe's most highly-rated centre-backs over the past couple of years, having initially joined Barca's B squad from Boston River in 2018.

After a couple of years in the reserves, Araujo was officially promoted to Barcelona's senior team in 2020 and has registered eight goals and three assists in 134 games for the Blaugrana in all competitions.

Araujo ended the 2022-23 season with a La Liga winners' medal around his neck, while he has also triumphed in the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana in Barcelona colours.

Back in April 2022, Araujo agreed a contract extension with Barcelona until the summer of 2026, but some of the Blaugrana's fellow European heavyweights could supposedly test their resolve in the not-so-distant future.

Last week, it was reported that Man United had made an enquiry over the 24-year-old, while Bayern have also identified him as a leading defensive target for either January or the summer.

However, speaking to the press ahead of Barca's 4-2 win over Real Betis at the weekend, sporting director Deco insisted that Barcelona had no intention of parting ways with the versatile defender, who wore the captain's armband in that success over Los Verdiblancos.

"He is one of our key players, for the present and the future. He has a contract and we are not considering selling him. The important thing is that he is happy and there is nothing more to talk about," Fichajes quotes Deco as saying.

Barca's beating of Betis marked the reigning champions' third La Liga win on the trot, allowing the Blaugrana to rise above Athletic Bilbao into third place in the table ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final with the Basque outfit.

Following Deco's affirmations, Man United and Bayern will seemingly have to scope out alternative options for defensive reinforcements, although the Red Devils could supposedly try to poach one of the Bavarians' own.

Former Ajax and Juventus man Matthijs de Ligt - a cornerstone of Erik ten Hag's Amsterdam team - is believed to be seeking an exit from the Allianz Arena, having lost his status as a guaranteed starter under Thomas Tuchel.

With Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae often preferred at the back, De Ligt is supposedly open to departing for a new adventure in the Premier League, although Arsenal could rival Man United for the Dutchman's services.

A handful of existing Red Devils defenders are facing uncertain futures beyond the summer, notably Raphael Varane, who has entered the last six months of his Old Trafford deal and is free to begin discussions with foreign teams.

Man United have decided against activating the 12-month extension in Varane's terms, and the Red Devils are also said to be open to bids for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof once the season is up.

Thirty-six-year-old Jonny Evans is also due to become a free agent this summer, although Ten Hag is thought to be keen on a new deal for the Northern Irishman.