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Liverpool is reportedly considering Ronald Araujo as a possible replacement for Ibrahima Konate, should the Frenchman end up leaving Anfield at the end of his contract next summer.
Araujo's stock has fallen in Catalonia, and he is no longer a guaranteed starter under Hansi Flick, with Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia emerging as the club's preferred center-back partnership of late.
Fichajes says that Liverpool views Araujo as a a player capable of adapting to the demands of the Premier League, while Araujo's camp has reportedly not ruled out a change of scenery for the player, who is keen to play more frequently.
It is claimed that several clubs are interested in Araujo, but Liverpool is the most advanced of those clubs in terms of their analysis of his contract situation in Catalonia.
Liverpool is said to be "keener than ever" on Araujo, whose power and speed the Reds are believed to deem ideal for Arne Slot's team.
Barcelona would reportedly demand $50 million (€59 million) for the 26-year-old, who has made 24 appearances for Uruguay.
Barca's fiercest rival, Real Madrid, is interested in signing Liverpool center-back Konate, which would free up space for a new center-back in the Reds' squad.
Konate has not signed a new contract at Liverpool since he joined the club in 2021, and he is apparently being eyed for a move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer.
Madrid has made a habit of signing high-profile free agents in recent years, with David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Kylian Mbappe all picked up on free transfers.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, too, would have moved to the Spanish capital for nothing had this summer's Club World Cup not started while he was still originally scheduled to be contracted to Liverpool.
As things stand, Konate will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from January 1, which was also the case with Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk earlier this year.
It is not clear whether Liverpool would entertain a bid for Konate in January, but E-Noticies says Madrid is considering making a €40 million ($47 million) offer for the defender.
That is a lot of money for a defender who would be available for free six months later, so Liverpool would have to seriously consider taking the money were such an offer to be lodged.
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