Bayern Munich: Ronald Araujo set to stay at FC Barcelona
The winter transfer window will see Bayern Munich try to complete the unfinished business from last summer. The Bavarian club sold Benjamin Pavard and Ryan Gravenberch in the final week of the window without signing their replacement.
Thomas Tuchel publicly expressed disappointment regarding the failure to get two signings over the line on the deadline day. The German coach is now hoping to get two players when the window opens in January.
It is no secret that the priority for Bayern is to sign a defender in January. In an ideal scenario, they will sign a defender who can play in multiple defensive positions (center-back and right-back). The top target for Bayern for this role is FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo.
Tuchel and Bayern have reportedly spoken to Araujo, but a move in January will not be happening. According to Sky Sports in Germany, Araujo is not keen on leaving FC Barcelona during the winter transfer window. He remains the top defensive target for Bayern and Tuchel, so a move could be revisited in the summer.
Araujo could have significantly improved Bayern in defense. The Uruguayan defender has delivered impressive performances for Die Roten in central defense and right-back positions. Barcelona considers him a big part of their long-term plans, so signing him even in the summer window will be difficult.
However, Barcelona's well-documented financial problems may give Bayern a decent chance to sign the Uruguayan defender if they make a big offer. Nevertheless, it does look certain that this will not be the last time Araujo is linked with Bayern.
The record Bundesliga champions will look at other options to strengthen Tuchel's defensive options. It wouldn't be surprising to see them explore the loan market to address this position in January. They signed Joao Cancelo and Alvaro Odriozola on loan deals in January 2020 and 2023, respectively, when defensive reinforcements were needed. FC Barcelona's Clement Lenglet has been linked with Bayern lately. The French defender could be a good stop-gap solution for Die Roten, but it is a complex deal to pull off since he is currently on loan at Aston Villa.
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Along with defense, Tuchel will also look to improve his midfield options in January. The German coach wanted a defensive midfielder in the summer. Bayern had agreed a deal for Joao Palhinha, but the move collapsed since Fulham couldn't find a replacement. It remains to be seen if Bayern will reignite the move for Palhinha in January.