Juventus are ramping up efforts to secure a defensive reinforcement, with Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo emerging as their top target. The Turin giants are looking to bolster their backline, potentially bringing in two or even three new defenders by the end of the transfer window, especially if Danilo departs.
Calciomercato report that Cristiano Giuntoli, Juventus’ sporting director, is working on multiple fronts, but Araujo, the 25-year-old Uruguayan international, remains the primary focus. The Bianconeri’s strategy involves attempting to secure Araujo on a loan deal with an option to buy. Initial contacts have already been established, with further discussions expected in the coming days to potentially unlock the deal.
Araujo’s situation at Barcelona is intriguing. Reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest that the player has expressed openness to a move to Juventus and has confided in teammates about his desire to leave, with the Premier League also on his radar. His current contract with Barcelona runs until June 30, 2026, with a net salary of €6 million per season.
The primary obstacle in this potential transfer is Araujo’s substantial wages in Spain. Given that he could potentially leave on a free transfer in 18 months, Barcelona is keen on a permanent sale. However, Juventus is pushing hard and is expected to intensify their efforts soon, driven by manager Thiago Motta’s urgent need for defensive reinforcements.
In parallel, Juventus is also pursuing Antonio Silva from Benfica. The 21-year-old Portuguese defender is represented by Jorge Mendes, who facilitated Conceição’s move to Turin last summer. Juventus is hoping to structure a similar deal for Silva – a paid loan with a potential option to buy. Their initial offer of €5 million for the loan plus €35 million for a permanent transfer was rejected, as Benfica stands firm on their €100 million release clause.
