Everything was agreed with Juventus: loan until the end of the season and sale next summer. Ronald Araújo's fate was sealed, with his consent, until the Super Cup arrived.
Íñigo Martínez got injured, Hansi Flick had to rely on Araújo for the first time in a serious match. The experience couldn't have gone better.
Araújo was one of the reasons Barça defended the lead over Real Madrid with order and precision when both teams were playing on equal terms.
Hansi Flick Values Araújo's Commitment
The Uruguayan center-back brought composure and drove Vinícius and Mbappé crazy. Flick greatly appreciated his dedication and commitment to the team.
The match ended, and Araújo waved to the Barcelona fans from the center of the field. It sounded like a farewell.Even Gavi asked the crowd for an ovation for him.
However, the Barcelona expedition is already in Barcelona, Íñigo Martínez has undergone various tests and the results couldn't be more discouraging. He suffers a hamstring tear in his right leg and will be out for eight weeks.
Íñigo Martínez's Injury Changes Barça's Plans
In other words, we won't see him in action until mid-March. That will be when the season is at its peak in LaLiga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.
In his negotiation with Araújo, he finally accepted Juventus's offer. They offered him a higher salary than what Joan Laporta presented to renew with FC Barcelona.
Laporta was delighted to close a deal that would bring around 50 million euros to the club's coffers. However, the situation has radically changed with Íñigo Martínez's injury. Hansi Flick himself has halted Araújo's departure.
8 Matches without Íñigo Martínez
Íñigo Martínez will miss 5 LaLiga matches (Getafe, Valencia, Alavés, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano). He'll also miss 2 Champions League matches (Benfica and Atalanta) and 1 Copa del Rey match (Betis).
For these matches, Flick has three center-backs available. He can't afford to give up Araújo, one of the best center-backs in the world.
Meanwhile, Christensen still hasn't received medical clearance. The date of his return is a complete mystery.
In this situation, Flick prefers Araújo to stay on the team. He still has Koundé as a backup option for center-back. But he doesn't want to rob Peter to pay Paul (move a full-back to center-back).
Araújo Stays
Araújo will stay at Barça. Mainly because of the commitment to Barça that Flick has seen in him.
Juventus has already been informed that the sale has been halted. Barça will try to place Eric García back at Girona, while Araújo remains as the starting center-back alongside Cubsarsí.
Barça is on its way to fixing its financial situation. For now, it's already at 1:1 in financial fair play.
They can sign players, but they also need to sell. However, as of today, Araújo is not listed among the sales.
When summer arrives, it will be a matter of reconsidering the issue. Meanwhile, as Gerard Piqué would say: "Araújo stays."