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.

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Barcelona to bring Ronald Araújo to Anfield on loan for the 2026-27 season, according to reports.

The deal also includes a buy option, but Liverpool are not tied to making it permanent. Any decision on that clause will be theirs to make next summer if they choose to move ahead.

Barcelona sporting director Deco is said to have played a role in the swift talks, with Araújo expected to travel to Liverpool in the coming hours to finalise the move before it is confirmed.

The transfer comes as Liverpool look to strengthen a defensive unit that has been stretched. Virgil van Dijk, Jérémy Jacquet, Joe Goméz and Giovanni Leoni were the senior centre-backs after Ibrahima Konaté’s departure. Leoni has not featured since tearing his ACL last September, while Jacquet has been out since February with a shoulder injury and has yet to play for Liverpool.

Goméz’s injury problems also returned during the first match of the Iraola era, when he had to be withdrawn after 10 minutes of Liverpool’s preseason opener against Sunderland. Van Dijk has not played since the 2026 World Cup for the Netherlands, and despite his status, he turned 35 in July, which raises further questions over availability.

Araújo offers Liverpool an immediate solution, even if only for the short term. His move away from Barcelona had felt increasingly likely after a difficult spell that contrasted sharply with his early rise as one of the game’s most promising young defenders.

His recent decline was shaped by costly moments and lost momentum. A sending-off against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the 2023-24 Champions League quarterfinals proved decisive, with his challenge contributing to Barcelona’s collapse in the tie.

Since then, Araújo has struggled to recover his standing. He featured sparingly under Hansi Flick last season and, at times, was even used as an emergency striker. Across the last two La Liga campaigns, injuries and poor form have limited him to just 22 starts.

Liverpool are being linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, although they are not alone in the chase. Reports say the Premier League side face competition from several clubs in England and Germany, with Borussia Dortmund also strongly placed.

Mbaye is still only 18, but his record already stands out. He became the youngest player ever to appear for the European champions and has made 42 appearances across the past two seasons. His progress has also taken him onto the international stage, with a 2026 World Cup call from Senegal following and a memorable goal against France in the group stage.

According to L’Équipe, Liverpool and Dortmund are currently viewed as the main contenders for his signature, but Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Chelsea are also monitoring the situation. In Germany, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are said to admire him as well.

PSG are prepared to let Mbaye move on, helped by their recent signing of Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco and their push to secure 21-year-old Ajax winger Mika Godts. The French club are expected to ask for between $46.2 million and $57.8 million.

The report adds that Mbaye has made up his mind to leave after talks with manager Luis Enrique and sporting chief Luis Campos, but he is still weighing up where he wants to go next. The main reason for his exit is clear enough: he wants more regular first-team football and believes that is the best route to reaching his potential.

That point could matter for Liverpool. The club may be able to offer a clearer path to minutes in 2026-27, with options in the wide areas currently limited to Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha and new recruit Víctor Muñoz. Even if Barcola arrives, Mbaye could still see an opening on the right side, where he has already been used at PSG.