Arsenal rival Juventus for Barcelona star defender | OneFootball

Arsenal have joined the race to sign Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo, who is also being chased by Juventus, according to reports.

The towering defender is currently being eased back from a hamstring injury which sidelined him for the first half of the season. When fully fit, Araujo is comfortably one of the best centre-backs on the planet, boasting a beguiling blend of grace and gusto in both boxes.

Barcelona had no intention of parting ways with Araujo this month or in the summer and were actively engaged in negotiations to extend his contract beyond its current expiry date of June 2026. However, talks over a new deal have stalled, and news broke on Wednesday that Araujo had 'agreed' a loan move to Juventus in January - much to the surprise of everyone associated with Barcelona.

Arsenal, sensing a thickening fog of uncertainty, have waded into the discussions, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

Ronald Araujo made his first appearance of the season in January / Pedro Salado/GettyImages

The Gunners have a rock-solid and settled centre-back partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba, however, there could be scope for Araujo to fight for a right-back berth. The Uruguay international was often shifted out of his natural position during Xavi Hernandez's stewardship, engaging in several thrilling - and often successful - battles with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.

Mikel Arteta has been forced to shoehorn midfielder Thomas Partey into defence on several occasions this season after extensive absences for Ben White and Jurrien Timber. The Arsenal boss has taken a typically cagey stance over the club's activity in the January transfer window, but most of their winter targets have been forward-thinking options after the serious injury to Bukayo Saka.

Barcelona have managed to navigate the first six months of the campaign almost entirely without Araujo and are closing in on Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah as a summer arrival on a free transfer.

Mundo Deportivo claim that if Araujo is not willing to extend his contract under the club's current terms, Barcelona will seriously consider a sale while he can still command a considerable fee.