Titles, high salary, lower release clause – How Deco convinced Araujo to stay at Barcelona | OneFootball

Up until today, all signs pointed to Ronald Araujo leaving FC Barcelona this January to sign for Juventus.

However, an intervention from the Blaugrana sporting director Deco on Tuesday night has sparked a complete turnaround in the situation, with the defender now deciding to continue at the club.

In fact, Araujo has also agreed to sign a new contract with the Catalan giants, with his agents expected to arrive at the end of the week to finalise the deal.

Now, journalist Matteo Moretto has come forward with a detailed account of what was discussed in the meeting between Araujo and Deco and how the latter convinced the player to continue at Barcelona.

How Deco turned the tide

As per the report, Deco began by seeking firsthand information from Araujo about the contract terms Juventus were offering. The Italians were desperate to sign the Uruguayan, with their manager Thiago Motta even speaking directly to the player.

Deco convinced Araujo to stay. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Barça director then addressed the immediate impact of leaving. He highlighted the team’s strong season so far, including their Spanish Super Cup victory, impressive Champions League form, and solid early performances in La Liga, despite a recent slump.

Deco also reminded Araujo of his emotional connection to Barça, a club he has represented for years and whose values he embodies.

From emotional appeals to financial promises

After addressing Araujo’s emotional ties, Deco tackled the financial aspects. Renewal talks between the 25-year-old star and the club had been ongoing for over a year but remained far from agreement.

Despite being one of the team’s captains and a key player for five seasons, Araujo earned less than teammates like Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ansu Fati, Robert Lewandowski, and Frenkie de Jong.

Araujo will sign a new contract. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Deco assured Araujo that Barça would make a financial effort. With improved financial flexibility thanks to the return to the 1:1 Fair Play regulation, the Blaugrana now have the means to offer better medium and long-term contracts.

Another key aspect of the discussion was the release clause in his contract. Previously set at an astronomical €1 billion, Deco proposed a more realistic figure that would allow Araujo the flexibility to leave in the future under mutually agreeable terms.

This adjustment aligned with the defender’s desire to remain competitive and adaptable in a constantly evolving football landscape.

By the end of the discussion, Araujo agreed to Deco’s proposal, effectively ending weeks of speculation. The next step is to formalise the agreement in writing and secure his renewal, which could take place as soon as this weekend.