Tottenham make move to sign £30m South American star, club ready to do deal – report
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly taken early steps to secure the services of Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo, according to Spanish publication Fichajes. The North London club is said to have made initial contact with the La Liga giants as they seek to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Spurs endured a turbulent campaign last term, with their leaky defence proving to be one of the most glaring issues. They conceded a staggering 65 goals across 38 Premier League games — a total worse than any other side outside the bottom three and Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was a far cry from the level required to compete at the top of English football.
Former manager Ange Postecoglou had frequently cited injuries to his first-choice central defensive duo — Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven — as a major contributing factor to the team’s poor defensive record. However, the club has now decided to part ways with Postecoglou, appointing Brentford’s Thomas Frank as his successor. The Danish tactician is expected to bring fresh ideas and tactical stability, with a particular focus on tightening the backline.
One of Frank’s first major targets appears to be Ronald Araújo. According to Fichajes, Tottenham have expressed concrete interest in the Uruguayan centre-back and have already initiated preliminary talks. Araújo, despite having recently signed a new long-term deal that keeps him at Camp Nou until 2031, is not guaranteed a future at Barcelona. The 26-year-old struggled for consistent minutes last season, partly due to ongoing fitness concerns and fluctuating form. As a result, Barcelona are reportedly open to letting him go if the right offer comes in.
Araújo’s estimated market value is around £30 million, as per Transfermarkt, but with years remaining on his contract and Barcelona’s knowledge of his raw potential, the Catalan club are expected to demand a significantly higher transfer fee. This could prove to be a stumbling block for Tottenham, who are keen to invest wisely under Frank’s leadership.
At his peak, Araújo was regarded as one of the most promising defenders in Europe. His commanding presence, combined with blistering pace and aerial dominance, made him a cornerstone of Barcelona’s defence. Standing at 6ft 3in and known for his physicality, the Uruguayan is seen as an ideal fit for the high-intensity demands of the Premier League.
Nevertheless, his career trajectory has not been without issues. Recurring injuries have hampered his progress, and questions have been raised over his composure in high-pressure moments. His costly error in a Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain drew sharp criticism from teammate Ilkay Gündoğan, further fuelling concerns about his reliability at the top level.
Tottenham’s interest in Araújo comes at a time when Cristian Romero is being linked with a potential move away from North London. Additionally, Radu Drăgușin — signed to offer depth — has also struggled with injury setbacks. Given this scenario, acquiring a quality centre-back is seen as a pressing need for the club.
Araújo could offer Spurs much-needed defensive steel if he can regain fitness and consistency. His age, physical attributes, and top-level experience tick many of the boxes for what Thomas Frank might be looking for in a defensive recruit. However, given Barcelona’s likely high asking price and Araújo’s recent struggles, Tottenham may need to weigh the risks carefully. Spending heavily on a player with fitness concerns could backfire if the gamble doesn’t pay off.
Ultimately, while Araújo remains a compelling option, Spurs may also consider pursuing alternative targets — potentially those with fewer question marks around durability and cost. The coming weeks will reveal whether Tottenham decide to push forward with their interest or shift focus to other centre-back options as they seek to rebuild under their new manager.