A Barcelona star has stunned everyone by announcing his decision to leave the club in the next transfer window, informing his teammates: “The Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid will be my last game for Barcelona!”

 

 

Tomorrow’s El Clásico promises to be an emotional and significant match, especially for several Barcelona players who are preparing to part ways with the club. These players are eager to leave on a high note by helping the team lift the Copa del Rey trophy in a crucial clash against arch-rivals Real Madrid.

 

According to reports from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, one of those players is Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo, who has reportedly made up his mind about leaving Barcelona once the season concludes.

 

 

Though Araujo is expected to begin the match on the bench, coach Hansi Flick might make a surprising tactical decision by positioning him at left-back in place of the injured Alejandro Balde. Gerard Martin, who has featured in this role recently, has struggled in key fixtures, leading Flick to consider a more seasoned and reliable option for such an important encounter.

 

Araujo’s journey this season has been riddled with challenges. Recurring injuries and inconsistent form have limited his involvement, forcing him to accept a secondary role within the squad.

 

 

His situation worsened after Xavi Hernandez announced his resignation, leaving Araujo increasingly sidelined and out of favor. As a result, he has emerged as one of the top candidates likely to depart Camp Nou during the upcoming transfer window.

 

Interestingly, Araujo was on the verge of leaving Barcelona in the January transfer window, having nearly completed a move to Juventus. However, he eventually changed his mind and agreed to a contract extension, a move believed to be a strategic decision by the club’s management, led by Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco. The extension aimed to preserve his market value rather than secure his long-term future at the club.

 

 

Though his contract technically runs until 2026 with a possible extension to 2030, a release clause allows Araujo to negotiate a transfer if an offer in the region of €65 million arrives. Despite his recent struggles, this valuation still reflects his standing in the transfer market.

 

All signs point towards Barcelona parting ways with Araujo soon, as Flick reportedly plans to bring in Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, who is expected to join on a free transfer. This signals a fresh start for Barcelona’s defense and suggests that Araujo’s chapter at Camp Nou is coming to a close.