Liverpool ‘ready £50m replacement’ after Virgil van Dijk exit news
Liverpool could be set to lose several high-profile players in the summer transfer window, and it would be tough to replace them.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid, but with one important player moving to La Liga, one star in Spain could be set to come the other way.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also both out of contract at the end of the season, and as it stands, both could follow Alexander-Arnold out of the door.
Replacing either would be difficult, but Liverpool now appear to have a target in mind should Van Dijk depart.
Liverpool interested in Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo to replace Van Dijk
Liverpool have identified Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo as the ideal replacement for Van Dijk, and a move could be on the cards.
Araujo has fallen down the pecking order at Barcelona, with Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi’s incredible form keeping them as Hansi Flick’s preferred pairing.
The Uruguayan recently signed a long-term contract, but according to El Nacional, they could be open to a sale to ease their financial difficulties.
| Stat | Ronald Araujo |
| Appearances | 13 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 |
Araujo is valued at around £50m, and Liverpool are keen on the 26-year-old to replace Van Dijk, given the Dutchman’s possible exit.
Liverpool are said to be a “very attractive option” as they can offer him Champions League football, a competitive salary and the chance to compete at the top.
Is Araujo a good replacement for Van Dijk?
It is claimed that Arne Slot believes Araujo to be the perfect successor to Van Dijk.
Araujo’s physical dominance, speed, leadership and experience are all desirable qualities, and he has competed at the very top level in the past.
If Van Dijk leaves, Araujo could replace him as an aerially-dominant centre-back, with a strong recovery pace, and these qualities make him perfect to play under Slot in a high line.
Van Dijk will prove near-impossible to replace, but in terms of ready-made, experienced options, it is harder to find someone with as much quality as Araujo.
The Uruguay star has had mixed spells of form and injuries in recent years, which may raise question marks, but given time to settle, he could help Slot and Liverpool move forward after their arguably greatest-ever centre-back departs.