Arsenal prepare offer to sign 25-year-old Barcelona star permanently amid talks of him joining European giants on loan: Reports

Arsenal are prepared to bid for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo for a permanent transfer, amid rumors that he could join Juventus on loan. According to a report from Mundo Deportivo (via One Football), the Gunners are working on an offer for the 25-year-old centre-back.

Araujo has been one of Barca's most important players since he joined the club in 2018. Breaking into their first team in 2019, he has won three trophies with the Blaugrana: La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana.

While he has been instrumental to the club, playing 151 games since his emergence at Camp Nou, the Uruguayan has struggled with fitness. He endured a long-term hamstring injury back in July 2024, during Copa America, and has been out of contention for months. He only just returned to the pitch, playing his first game this season in Barca's 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Barbastro on January 4.

Throughout Araujo's injury, Barcelona have enjoyed a centre-back partnership of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez. This has raised questions about how Araujo can break into the starting lineup once more, as he has understandably fallen down the pecking order in the position.

With Barcelona reportedly working to sign Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen, and Araujo's contract set to expire in June 2026, his future in Catalonia is uncertain. Juventus have taken this into consideration, leading them to push for a loan move for Araujo's services. It is believed that the Uruguayan defender has accepted this move.

However, Arsenal are looking to throw a spanner in the works, as they look to sign Araujo on a permanent transfer. With Barca struggling financially and showing interest in Jonathan Tah, accepting an offer from the Gunners may not be out of the question.

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Arsenal shortlist Premier League talent as Saka alternative

Arsenal have shortlisted Premier League winger Bryan Mbeumo as an alternative to Bukayo Saka at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have reportedly turned toward Brentford for Mbeumo, as they look to reduce the heavy workload on Saka.

This is according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg (via TeamTalk), who admitted that Arsenal are not working towards a January transfer for the winger. On the contrary, the Gunners will look to make their move for Mbeumo during the summer transfer window.

Arsenal have used Bukayo Saka as the main man on their right-wing in over half a decade, with the England international becoming one of their most important players. Since 2018, he has played 250 games for the club, scoring 67 goals and providing 63 assists.

This has raised questions about the winger's fitness in recent times, and now, Saka is out of contention, having undergone surgery for a hamstring injury. This season, Mbeumo has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 20 Premier League games for Brentford, making him a worthy alternative for Arsenal.