Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Hansi Flick has confirmed Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo is set to join Liverpool, wishing the Uruguayan well at Anfield after struggling to find a place for him.
On Saturday, widespread reports suggested Aruajo was set to join Liverpool on a season-long loan deal, having fallen out of favour in Catalonia.
Araujo was made Barca captain as recently as January, following the departure of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
And though the 27-year-old helped the Blaugrana win LaLiga for a third time in the last four years, the last two of those triumphs coming under Flick, his on-pitch role was limited.
He was restricted to 16 starts in all competitions last season, having only made 17 in 2024-25. In each of Barca’s previous three campaigns, Araujo started at least 30 games.
The defender was granted a mental health break of just over a month midway through 2025-26, while Spain duo Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia emerged as Flick’s favoured centre-back duo.
And Flick admitted he had regrets over Araujo’s lack of gametime when addressing his imminent exit on Saturday, following a pair of back-to-back friendlies against Nottingham Forest and Udinese – the Blaugrana won the first game 1-0 and lost the second by the same scoreline.
“I think Ronald is a great guy and a great player, but our way of playing is different from what he prefers,” Flick said.
“He is a powerful and fast player. For me, it’s a shame. It’s been difficult and I haven’t been able to count on him as much as I would have liked.
“The mistakes of the past affected him on a mental level. Today, I saw him happy and I wished him the best.
“He is a fantastic person and player, as well as a great captain. Changes in life are normal.”
Araujo should get plenty of opportunities to play regularly at Liverpool, with new centre-back Jeremy Jacquet missing the end of his final season with Rennes due to injury.
Joe Gomez is out with a muscle issue and Giovanni Leoni is still rehabilitating following an anterior cruciate ligament injury, leaving Virgil van Dijk without an experienced partner.
Flick left Roony Bardghji and Marc Casado out of his squad for Saturday’s friendlies, with both players expected to leave in order to seek regular gametime.
“At the end of each season there are changes, it’s normal. It’s difficult, but decisions have to be made,” Flick said when asked about that duo.
“I spoke to them at the end of last season and also in England, and I gave them my advice.”
But Flick had less to say on Ferran Torres’ future, after reports suggested Spain’s World Cup final hero had informed Barca of his desire to join Paris Saint-Germain.
“I respect the players’ holidays,” Flick said. “I haven’t spoken to him.”
The Blaugrana will face Al-Ahly in their final pre-season friendly on Wednesday, before kickstarting their bid for a third LaLiga title in a row against Elche, on August 23.
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