Barcelona made a late dash in the January transfer window to sign Julian Araujo from MLS outfit LA Galaxy. While they reached an agreement with the club and the player, the filing of the paperwork was delayed by 18 seconds, leading to FIFA not authorising the transfer.
The Catalans have thus turned to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to seek a resolution on the matter. And, if the transfer is not approved by CAS either, Araujo will have to play at a different club until the summer, as was confirmed by director Mateu Alemany.
At the same time, a return to LA Galaxy for the next five months is no longer seen as an option. Thus, there is also the possibility that Araujo will remain in Barcelona and train with Rafa Marquez’s Barça Atletic until the summer, when the signing can be authorised.
Now, according to Portera Nunez, with Araujo’s impending arrival, Barcelona are not planning on signing a new right-back in the summer and will only explore that possibility if a player becomes available for a ‘crazy bargain’.
Araujo will be registered as a reserve team player but will likely be called up to the first-team setup as and when needed.
Meanwhile, Sergi Roberto is set to extend his contract by another year, and with Jules Kounde also available, the Blaugrana believe that they have the position covered.
Sergino Dest will also be returning from his loan spell at AC Milan, although he is likely to be moved on by Barcelona.
The La Liga leaders have been linked with players like Juan Foyth, Benjamin Pavard, and Thomas Meunier as possible options to reinforce the right-back position.
And while the report might claim that there are no plans to invest in a new right-back, it would be sensible for the club to rope in a more established player than Araujo, who has little to no experience at the highest level of football and might need time to acclimatise.