Fabrizio Romano confirms: Star jets out to complete Liverpool move
Liverpool are about to welcome a new signing. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the star is on his way right now.
Liverpool are pushing hard on a few deals right now as they attempt to get Andoni Iraola's squad ready. Better late than never.
Their first deal is imminent, though, and a medical is now booked for Ronald Araujo to join Liverpool from Barcelona. This would only be a loan deal - though, there's reportedly an option to buy of around €55m.
Liverpool need cover at centre-back as both Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are currently injured. Leoni should be back relatively soon, while it's unknown how long Gomez will be out for.
But even when everyone is fit, Liverpool only have two experienced defenders in Virgil van Dijk and Gomez. Van Dijk, though, is 35 and Gomez's injury record means he can't be a reliable option.
Through in the untested Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet and there's an awful lot of uncertainty at the back for Liverpool. Araujo will hopefully fix some of that as an experienced presence who's won league titles.
We'll soon find out. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the player is on his way to Merseyside where he'll complete a medical ahead of joining Liverpool.
"Ronald Araujo doesn’t travel with Barça squad today as he’s flying to Liverpool tomorrow for medical tests," he writes.
"The buy option clause, worth €55m for June 2027, is not mandatory, while Liverpool will cover [his] full salary."
We're talking hours, then, before Liverpool announce a new summer signing. Exactly how long Araujo remains at Anfield will depend on his upcoming season, and whether he can tempt the club into activating that buy clause.
An interesting one ahead of the campaign, then. And certainly a huge surprise.