Comments on the part of Barcelona president Joan Laporta have piqued widespread attentions on Wednesday evening.
This comes after the Spanish patron confirmed that, given the chance, he would tie a key member of the club’s defensive ranks down for the length of his career.
The player in question? Ronald Araújo.
The subject of stopper Araújo’s future has of course long represented a headline talking point in the Spanish media.
This comes after the Uruguayan was the subject of intense January interest on the part of Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
In the end, Araújo stayed put, despite an apparent pair of big-money bids by way of the Bayern brass.
But speculation surrounding a potential summer exit has nevertheless continued to circulate in the press, amid the understanding that Barcelona will likely be forced into at least one high-profile sale with a view to next season.
As alluded to above, though, if the latest comments on the part of Joan Laporta are anything to go by, Araújo is altogether unlikely to be the man on the move.
Speaking whilst in attendance at the premiere of the club’s new Barca One documentary on Wednesday, Laporta was drawn on Araújo’s future once more.
And Barcelona’s president left little room for interpretation with his response, in confirming:
“I would give Araujo a lifetime contract.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
