LIVERPOOL AGREE ARAÚJO LOAN FROM BARCELONA

Liverpool have agreed to sign Ronald Araújo from Barcelona on a season-long loan, with the deal including an option to buy at the end of the season. The Uruguay defender is expected to complete his medical on Sunday after travelling to Merseyside. Araújo, 27, has been brought in to address defensive concerns at the club after injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni, and the departure of Ibrahima Konaté to Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Araújo has made more than 200 appearances for Barcelona since joining from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018. He helped Barcelona win La Liga in three of the past four seasons and ended last season as club captain, though he made only 11 league starts under manager Hansi Flick as Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsi emerged as the club's preferred central defensive pairing. Araújo remains under contract at Barcelona until 2031. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was reportedly looking to strengthen the defence after concerns arose over Jérémy Jacquet, the France Under-21 defender who arrived last season for more than £50m and has not yet made a competitive appearance owing to a serious shoulder injury.

The club had previously shown interest in Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa but moved away from that pursuit after the England defender's £60m valuation. Liverpool also held talks with Paris Saint-Germain regarding Bradley Barcola, though PSG value the forward at approximately £145m.