An insight into the extent of the lengths which Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández was willing to go to in his efforts to keep Ronald Araújo at the club last month has been forthcoming on Friday.
The subject of stopper Araújo’s future, of course, dominated the headlines in Catalunya once more throughout much of the January transfer window.
This came amid a fresh assault for his services by way of German heavyweights Bayern Munich.
In the end, Araújo stayed put, with Bayern having opted for considerably cheaper short-term option in the form of Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier.
But, as alluded to above, this only came after the intervention of Barca headmaster Xavi.
As per a report from The Athletic, cited by Goal, Araújo, for his part, was very much open to taking his talents to Bavaria mid-season, with Bayern having had an €80 million offer for his services in wait as a result.
Xavi, however, made clear to the board in Catalunya’s capital that, in the case of the stopper being sold, he would immediately hand in his resignation.
As much, of course, has since come to fruition anyway, with the Spaniard set to step down from his post upon the close of the campaign.
But it is nevertheless a testament to just how highly Araújo is thought of by his manager and the coaching staff at Barcelona.
Conor Laird | GSFN
