Barcelona
Araújo rebuffed summer approaches to remain and reclaim his Barcelona place
Araújo rejected summer approaches and has committed to fighting for his Barcelona starting place. 25
Ronald Araújo reportedly turned down multiple moves during the summer transfer window as Barcelona considered his exit. Nothing materialised and his release clause reverted to its original, sizeable figure.
The Uruguayan defender made clear he wanted to remain at Barcelona after a difficult 2024–25 season and aimed to return to his best with the only European club he has played for. Upon returning from vacation for Barcelona’s preseason training, Araújo was asked if he would continue with the club, simply answering, “If it’s up to me, yes.” His current contract runs through the end of the 2030–31 season.
Araújo missed six months during the 2024–25 campaign and struggled to find his best form on his return. He was never able to fully lock down a spot in Hansi Flick’s lineup and was later deemed the main culprit for Barcelona’s Champions League elimination against Inter Milan.
As the 2025–26 season progresses the defender is fighting for a starting role. In the aftermath of Iñigo Martínez’s departure, Araújo’s presence within the squad grew in importance and he has started Barcelona’s last three league games, wearing the captain’s armband on each occasion.
Despite those starts and the increased responsibility, Eric García and Pau Cubarsí appear to be Hansi Flick’s preferred centre back pairing, based on how the manager has deployed personnel in the bigger matches so far this term. Araújo’s decision to reject summer approaches and commit to regaining form places him in direct competition for minutes as Barcelona balance experience, recent form and tactical choices.
The coming weeks will determine whether Araújo can translate his commitment into consistent selection and reclaim a regular starting role under Flick for the current campaign.
Barcelona
Barcelona close in on Rodri deal as Maresca confirms Manchester return date
Barcelona move closer to Rodri talks as Maresca confirms the midfielder’s Manchester City return date.
Barcelona are moving towards an agreement for Rodri, with talks reportedly entering the final stage as the midfielder edges closer to a return to Manchester City training this week.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona have still not reached the asking price, but an offer of an initial $63.5 million (£47 million), before add-ons, has pushed negotiations to the point where the finer details are being worked through. There is even a suggestion that the gap between the clubs could be narrowed by including a player from the Barcelona squad. Elsewhere, City have been linked with 19-year-old midfielder Tommy Marqués.
The urgency is clear from Barcelona’s side. Hansi Flick wants the matter resolved quickly so he can spend as much time as possible preparing with his reshaped squad before the new season gets underway.
Rodri’s summer has been interrupted more than most after winning the World Cup with Spain. His return to pre-season has been delayed, and he has yet to rejoin City, missing Enzo Maresca’s entire first pre-season, which finished this weekend before the Community Shield against Arsenal next Sunday, Aug. 16.
A return is now imminent. Rodri is expected to be available for City in some capacity, with his comeback set for two days earlier.
“At the moment, he will be in Manchester,” Maresca explained. “There is no update. On Aug. 14 he will be back.”
A swift resolution would suit both clubs. Barcelona want Rodri in place as soon as possible to maximise their preparation time, while City also need to plan for a future without such an influential figure.
Barcelona
Flick’s Araújo comments point to an imminent Liverpool loan
Flick’s remarks on Araújo intensify Liverpool talk as both clubs manage centre-back concerns.
Hansi Flick has effectively signalled that Ronald Araújo will not be part of Barcelona this season, calling it a “shame” and backing reports that a loan move to Liverpool is nearing completion.
Araújo’s spell under Flick has been shaped by injury and interruption. He missed several months of the manager’s first year because of a hamstring injury and later took a period of mental leave midway through last season. Even so, he remained within the squad’s leadership group and was elevated to club captain at the start of 2026 when Marc-André ter Stegen joined Girona on loan.
His standing away from the pitch has not been matched by his involvement on it. When fit, Araújo has mainly been a bench option throughout Flick’s reign, and the coach made it clear his preferred style is different.
“He’s a great guy and a fantastic player. But his style of play is different from what I prefer,” Flick explained to reporters, justifying Araújo’s lack of role and the decision to let him leave.
“He’s powerful, fast … it’s a shame. It’s been difficult because I haven’t been able to include him as much as I’d like. He’s been affected by past mistakes. We’ve talked. I saw him doing well, happy, and I wish him all the best,” the coach added.
“Changes are normal in life and in football.”
Barcelona do still have centre-back options. Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín emerged last season as Flick’s starting centre backs, while Eric García and Andreas Christensen remain available. Jules Koundé, known more as a right back these days, can also fill in.
Araújo’s departure would also alter the captaincy hierarchy. Frenkie de Jong would ordinarily be promoted for this season, but with the Dutchman sidelined by a torn medial knee ligament, it will instead be current third-captain Raphinha who wears the armband for the foreseeable future.
Liverpool’s own centre-back situation remains severe. Two weeks before the Premier League season begins, Virgil van Dijk, 35, is their only available first-team centre back. Ibrahima Konaté has joined Real Madrid after failing to agree a new contract, while Joe Gomez and new signing Jérémy Jacquet are injured.
Andoni Iraola said on Sunday after the Anfield defeat to Monaco that Jacquet “should be fine” for the final preseason match against Como next weekend. Even so, the young Frenchman has already been hampered by a knee problem in training this summer, having also missed the final months of last season with Rennes because of a shoulder injury suffered just days after his pre-arranged Liverpool move was announced.
Barcelona
Marcus Rashford’s latest Manchester United outing and what followed
Rashford is back at United, and his last appearance came in December 2024 against Viktoria Plzeň.
Marcus Rashford is back on Manchester United’s books, and the timing has brought fresh focus on how long it has been since he last played for the club. Barcelona allowed both the purchase option and release clause in Rashford’s contract to expire, opting instead to move for Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi. United manager Michael Carrick has since confirmed that the winger will rejoin training with his boyhood club during the next part of the summer tour of northern Europe.
Carrick, speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, said: “I’ve played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history,” Carrick said after Saturday’s 1–1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain. “We have got a full squad this week in Dublin. We fly straight there and have a few days where we have the whole group back together.
“Marcus is part of that, and Kobbie [Mainoo] and Lisandro [Martínez]. We look forward to seeing them.”
For supporters, Rashford’s return may take some adjustment, because his final appearance for United came some time ago. His most recent outing arrived against Viktoria Plzeň on Dec. 12, 2024, in the Europa League at the Doosan Arena in Plzeň, Czechia. He started as a second striker, positioned just behind Joshua Zirkzee, but found it difficult to influence the contest.
Rashford was withdrawn in the 56th minute, eight minutes after Plzeň had gone in front through Matěj Vydra. United then recovered, with Rasmus Højlund emerging as the decisive figure. The Danish forward, who has since left United for Napoli, scored soon after his introduction and added a second in the 88th minute to complete the comeback.
After that defeat, Rashford’s United career effectively stalled under then-manager Ruben Amorim. He was omitted from the squad for the Manchester derby against Manchester City three days later, although Amorim insisted the decision was not disciplinary. Rashford then stated that he was “ready for a new challenge.”
His absence continued for weeks, with more than 10 games missed and only one unused place on the bench. Amorim later said he would not choose any player unless he felt they were giving maximum effort every day.
A loan move to Aston Villa followed in February, giving Rashford a chance to reset. He produced a strong spell there, finishing with four goals and six assists in 17 appearances.
