Liverpool in surprise loan deal to sign Barcelona centre-back as Ibrahima Konate replacement

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, talkSPORT understands.

The surprise transfer comes amid the Reds‘ lack of depth at centre-back, with Ibrahima Konate leaving earlier this summer.

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Konate departed the club for Real Madrid, signing on a free transfer after his contract at Anfield expired.

It means Virgil van Dijk, new signing Jeremy Jacquet, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are the only senior centre-backs in the squad.

So, Andoni Iraola has been keen to bring in an experienced head with the new Premier League season just two weeks away.

A verbal agreement is in place between Barcelona and Liverpool, and Araujo is now set to spend the season in England.

It’s understood that the deal is a loan without a buy option.

Araujo on the move

Araujo played 38 games in all competitions last season for Barca, helping lead them as captain to the La Liga title.

In total for the Spanish giants, he’s played 213 games across a seven-year span in the first team following his arrival in 2018.

During his spell, he has won three league titles, two Copa Del Reys and three Spanish Super Cups.

The 27-year-old has spent the majority of his career in Spain, only playing for Uruguayan teams Boston River and Rentistas before.

Araujo has also picked up 27 Uruguay caps during his six-year international career, being part of their squad at the World Cup this summer.

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Fourth summer signing

Liverpool are now on the brink of securing their fourth signing of the summer transfer window since Iraola’s appointment.

They have already confirmed Jacquet’s £60m pre-agreed move.

Meanwhile, Spanish winger Victor Munoz has also joined the club for £35m and teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe has signed too.

Araujo is set to join them in arriving at Anfield, while the Reds have continuously been linked with Bradley Barcola.

Barcola wants to join the club from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, with Liverpool expected to pursue him.

Tottenham and England’s Djed Spence has been linked too, but talkSPORT understands Liverpool are not currently in for him.

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Mental health break

Liverpool-bound Araujo was granted a leave of absence by Barcelona last season to take a break for his mental health.

He began his break at the start of December last year before returning ‘stronger’ midway through January.

Posting on social media at the time of his return, with Barca lifting the Spanish Supercopa, the defender said: “I learned that stopping at the right time is self-love.”

“Taking care of your mind and heart is not giving up, it is trusting that God works even in silence. Stopping renewed me and allowed me to come back stronger.

“The process was not easy, but coming back like this is a privilege.

“Thank you to the club, my teammates and the fans for their treatment, affection and respect. It was beautiful to return lifting this trophy. We continue together.”