Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that Ronald Araujo will join Premier League giant Liverpool on loan.
Araujo will be a Reds player this season as they secured a loan deal for the Barcelona center-back in a surprise move this weekend.
According to the latest reports (via Yahoo Sports), Araujo decided to accept Liverpool’s proposal after a conversation with Flick, who informed the Uruguayan he would have a minor role in the Barça team this season.
The coach addressed Araujo’s exit in a press conference after Barça’s triangular tournament in Italy on Saturday.
“He is a very good person and an exceptional player, but our style of play is slightly different. He is a footballer with great speed and power, and he is good with the ball at his feet, too. I wanted to get him involved; I think he is eager to try new things, and I believe he has also been affected by what happened in the past.
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“I said goodbye to him this morning and saw that he was happy. Liverpool is a great club, and I wish him the best. You have to accept it.”
Flick’s response makes it very clear that he doesn’t see Araujo as a great fit in his system, and that a parting of the ways for at least one season was probably best for all involved.
On 29 August 2018, Araújo signed a five-year contract with La Liga club Barcelona for a fee of €1.7 million, plus €3.5 million in variables; he was initially assigned to the reserves in Segunda División B.
He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 6 October of the following year, coming off the bench to replace Jean-Clair Todibo in the 73rd minute of a 4–0 home win against Sevilla; however, he was sent off in the 86th minute for fouling Javier Hernández.
