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Aston Villa are reportedly readying an official bid for Manchester United defensive target Ronald Araujo.
Araujo has been mentioned as a player United are interested in ahead of the summer transfer window. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS want to reinforce the club’s defensive department and one of those they’re keen on is Araujo.
A previous report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that the Red Devils opened talks with the Barcelona star’s agent.
It was then subsequently stated that the Blaugrana are open to selling the Uruguayan if he does not sign a contract extension by the end of May.
There is an offer on the table which includes a wage increase but the main issue is that those financial terms do not bring him to par with the highest earners at Camp Nou.
United are not the only party interested in Araujo. Chelsea and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are also believed to be monitoring his situation.
A fresh report from Spanish publication Sport now claims that Unai Emery’s Aston Villa also want Araujo and are even prepared to present a “formal offer” for the 25-year-old.
The news outlet reveals that Emery and Villa sporting director Monchi visited Barca and expressed their desire to add Araujo to their ranks back in England.
Villa’s pursuit of the United target is boosted by the fact that they’ve qualified for Champions League football after finishing fourth in the Premier League.
Not only can they lure Araujo to Villa Park with the promise of playing in Europe’s premier competition but the significant cash injection means they’re in a good place to compete for his services.
However, Emery and Monchi made it clear they would not part with the quoted €80m price as they believe it’s too much.
While Villa position themselves to beat competitors like United to Araujo, they’ve instructed the agent of Diego Carlos to find his client a new club.
United should remain alive to the situation and the danger posed by Villa in the race for Araujo. The Reds simply can’t let a player of that quality slip past their fingers, especially if he can be obtained for less than €80m.
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