Liverpool secure Ronald Araújo on season-long loan from Barcelona

Liverpool have agreed a season-long loan deal for Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo, the club confirmed on 8 August 2026, with the Uruguay international travelling to Merseyside to complete a medical on Sunday.

Andoni Iraola moved to bolster his defensive options after concerns over Jérémy Jacquet and injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni left the squad short at the back following Ibrahima Konaté’s departure on a free transfer to Real Madrid; Jacquet arrived last season for more than £50m.

Araújo, 27, was part of the Barça side that won La Liga last season and has made more than 200 appearances for Barcelona, though he managed only 11 league starts under Hansi Flick in the most recent campaign. The deal is understood to include an option to buy at the end of the season.

Jacquet, who signed from Rennes in February, has not made a competitive appearance since picking up a serious shoulder injury last season and Iraola admitted that he had asked to be substituted in the friendly against Leeds last week. “It was just some overload, and I hope he’s not injured in that way. I don’t think we’ve lost anyone,” he said.

Liverpool had also shown interest in Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa but were deterred by a £60m valuation, with Arsenal having an initial approach for Konsa rejected. The club have held talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, although PSG value him at around £145m.

PSG are expected to make a move for Spain’s World Cup final hero Ferran Torres, who has only one year left on his contract at the Camp Nou, a development that has been discussed in the context of wider transfer negotiations involving multiple clubs.

Araújo’s arrival is intended to provide cover for the start of the new season, and the immediate next step is for the Uruguay defender to complete his medical in Merseyside on Sunday before the loan move is finalised.