Manchester City find themselves in an unprecedented crisis, having secured only one victory in their last 10 matches. This challenging period has become Pep Guardiola’s toughest spell as a coach, largely due to the prolonged absence of key midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez.
His unavailability has disrupted the team’s balance, leaving Guardiola struggling to find effective solutions.
To navigate this difficult phase, Manchester City is reportedly planning to strengthen its squad during the upcoming winter transfer window. Defensive frailties have been particularly concerning, with several defenders experiencing a dip in form.
Players like Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Nathan Ake have failed to maintain their usual standards, prompting the club to explore defensive reinforcements.
According to reports from the Spanish outlet “El Nacional,” one of the prominent names on City’s radar is Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan defender is highly regarded by Manchester City’s technical team, who believe he could bring stability and resilience to their backline.
His potential arrival is seen as having a similar transformative impact to Virgil van Dijk’s move to Liverpool.
Araujo’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain due to stalled contract renewal talks, with his current deal expiring in 2026.
Despite recovering from a severe injury, he has struggled to secure a starting role under coach Hansi Flick, who prefers the defensive pairing of Pau Coparci and Iñigo Martínez. This situation has fueled speculation about a possible departure.
However, signing Araujo won’t come cheap. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reportedly set a price tag exceeding €70 million, making it clear that the club won’t entertain offers below that amount. If Manchester City is serious about reinforcing its defense, they will need to meet this hefty valuation.
As the January transfer window approaches, securing a top-tier defender like Araujo could be crucial for Manchester City’s hopes of turning their season around. With defensive stability being a pressing need, Guardiola’s side faces a challenging task of negotiating a deal while also navigating a competitive transfer market.
A successful acquisition could mark a turning point, helping Manchester City regain its competitive edge and get back to winning ways.
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