Chelsea are urgently exploring a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo after Levi Colwill suffered a devastating ACL injury in training.
Blues Target Araujo as Emergency Replacement for Injured Colwill
The 22-year-old centre-back, who made 43 appearances last season, is expected to miss most of the 2025/26 campaign, forcing manager Enzo Maresca to seek reinforcements.
According to multiple reports, Chelsea have identified the 26-year-old Uruguayan international as a prime target. Barcelona are open to offers around €50 million (£43m) for Araujo, despite his contract running until 2031.
The La Liga club’s stance is partly influenced by financial pressures and Araujo’s injury-disrupted 2024/25 season, where he managed just 25 appearances.
Araujo’s profile combining elite physicality, leadership, and versatility across central defense or right-back aligns with Chelsea’s needs.
The club believes he could adapt quickly to the Premier League and bolster a backline that includes injury-prone options like Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
However, significant hurdles remain:
Barcelona’s Reluctance: After losing Inigo Martinez to Al-Nassr, Barcelona deem Araujo “untouchable” and have rebuffed early inquiries.
Player Commitment: Araujo recently stated, “I’m very happy in Barcelona… I feel highly motivated”.
Competition: Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also monitoring the situation.
While transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano notes Chelsea has not yet activated an “emergency plan,” the club’s interest appears serious.
Alternatives like Real Madrid’s Eder Militao or Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi could emerge if negotiations stall. Chelsea’s next move hinges on Barcelona’s flexibility and whether Araujo’s “no transfer” stance softens.
With the window closing soon, the Blues face a race against time to secure Colwill’s replacement.
