Araujo Heads Out, a New Signing Can Wait. Barça Turn to Cortés

Barcelona may decide against signing a new centre-back after Ronald Araujo’s expected loan move to Liverpool. According to AS, Álvaro Cortés is now in line to take the Uruguayan’s place in the first-team squad. Nothing has been officially confirmed, but Hansi Flick and the sporting department are leaning towards an internal solution.

The 21-year-old Barça Atlètic captain has impressed Flick during pre-season in Barcelona and at St George’s Park. He also completed 95 per cent of his passes on his senior debut against Alavés. Barça considered looking for an experienced, preferably left-footed defender, with Cristian Romero and Aymeric Laporte among the names discussed. Neither deal looks straightforward.

Backing Cortés is not the problem. The timing is. Barcelona’s faith in the academy always seems to become strongest when an outside replacement is too expensive or difficult to sign. La Masia is once again being asked to develop talent and provide emergency cover for a plan the club did not finish before showing a captain the exit.