Transfer wrap: Araujo completes Liverpool loan switch

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Updated / Monday, 10 Aug 2026 19:01 Getty The Uruguayan defender leaves Barcelona after seven years there Liverpool have confirmed the season-long loan signing of 27-year-old Uruguay international Ronald Araujo from Barcelona. It is understood Liverpool will not pay a loan fee but will cover the wages of the defender, who can also cover right-back in addition to his preferred central-defensive position.

"I think it was the ideal move for me at this stage in my career. I think it was a move that was necessary for me to take," Araujo told the club website.

I’m glad about the interest and it was the right move at the right time." Defence was an area which needed strengthening following the departure of Ibrahima Konate at the conclusion of his contract and the ongoing injury issues at right-back. Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Ndiaye, both 18, have impressed in pre-season but with Joe Gomez not fit for the start of the new Premier League campaign, Iraola needed another senior defender to provide cover as, for much of last season, Liverpool had to play Virgil van Dijk and Konate virtually every game.