FC Barcelona has renewed Ronald Araújo's contract until 2031 and, to "celebrate," Hansi Flick left him on the bench against Valencia.
The issue is quite intriguing. With Íñigo Martínez injured, Flick preferred to line up Eric García alongside Cubarsí, a player the club tried to sell in both the summer and winter transfer windows.
From 1 billion to 65 million
Araújo's renewal must be understood in the context of the drastic reduction of his release clause. It has dropped from 1 billion to 65 million.
This means Barça has secured the continuity of a player with high international value. They have sought more to sell him than to capitalize on his skills on the field.
Araújo has also benefited from the deal. His salary has been increased, and if things don't go as he wishes, he has the option to leave the club. It will be at a market price that is nothing like the former 1 billion that was in his release clause.
Barça's warning to interested clubs
Meanwhile, Barça sends a warning to interested clubs, who know that for 65 million, they can acquire the Uruguayan center-back this summer. It's a price that might sound like a bargain for one of the best and most proven center-backs in the world, who is also only 25 years old.
The blaugrana club has sent the message to the world: anyone can acquire one of the best center-backs in the world without the need to negotiate.
The price will remain fixed at 65 million until the winter window of 2026. If by then he is still at Barça, it will indicate that his performance has been positive. His price will rise to 80 million euros.
This way, Barça avoids negotiation, in which they would always end up losing. This is what happened weeks ago with Juventus. They asked for the player on loan until the end of the season with a non-mandatory purchase option next summer.
Juve was willing to pay 35 million euros. Now his real price aligns with his market valuation. It might even be a bargain if Araújo delivers excellent performance for the rest of the season.
Araújo already envisions himself in a Bianconeri jersey next season
Araújo has accepted the change by demanding a salary increase, which has been granted. He now anticipates a change of scenery planned for next summer. Both the club and the player have negotiated based on this premise.
The Uruguayan center-back is in very advanced talks with Juventus. There, the former blaugrana Thiago Motta, his current coach, considers Araújo's signing a priority.
Juventus, whose position in the standings is concerning, fifth and 16 points behind the leader Napoli, needs new faces to end the team's losing streak.
Araújo knows that Juventus is willing to pay 65 million for him next summer. With that intention, he has renewed the contract that ties him to Barça.