Man United 'placed on red alert' with Barcelona 'open to selling key duo' next summer

Both Araujo and De Jong only have deals with the Catalan giants until June 2026, and there is currently a host of speculation surrounding their futures at Camp Nou.

Manchester United are said to have a firm interest in both players, with De Jong a long-term midfield target, while Araujo is believed to have serious admirers in the boardroom at Old Trafford.

According to SPORT, Barcelona are working to sign Araujo and De Jong to new deals, but if fresh contracts are not agreed, then the duo will become available for transfer in the summer of 2025.

The report claims that De Jong is yet to respond to his side's contract offer, which has been on the table since January, and the Catalan team are now pressing the Netherlands international for a decision.

Barcelona 'could sell Araujo, De Jong next summer'

Araujo, meanwhile, is also said to be stalling on a fresh deal, with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich also believed to be keeping a close eye on the centre-back's situation.

The 25-year-old has been on the sidelines since July due to a serious hamstring injury which he suffered while representing Uruguay at the 2024 Copa America.

Araujo is on course to return next month, though, while De Jong has recently recovered from a long-term ankle problem, with the midfielder working his way back to full fitness.

Both players are regarded as key for Barcelona when they are fit and available, but non-footballing decisions could led to them being sold in 2025, as the club do not want either player to enter their final year of their deals.

Could Man United complete a spectacular double deal for Araujo, De Jong?

Man United are expected to be in the market for a centre-back and a central midfielder during next summer's transfer window, but it is difficult to imagine both players arriving at Old Trafford.

It is likely that Barcelona would want a figure in the region of £70m for each player, which makes a double deal at £140m difficult to imagine, but it is certainly not impossible.

De Jong could be the missing midfield piece for the Red Devils, who continue to struggle in the middle, and a ball-playing midfielder is certainly required by the 20-time English champions.

Man United need to add an athletic centre-back to their squad, meanwhile, and Araujo fits the bill, with the South American developing into one of the best defenders in world football over the last couple of seasons.