Ronald Araujo And Gavi Set To Leave FC Barcelona For Free On July 1: Reports

FC Barcelona stars Ronald Araujo and Gavi can leave the club for free on July 1, according to El Chiringuito.

Defender Araujo, who has been one of the main protagonists in a back line that has conceded a record nine goals all season to help Barca top La Liga, penned a new deal until June 30, 2026 in April last year.

Later, in mid-September, 18-year-old midfielder Gavi agreed fresh terms until the same date with both contracts containing Paris Saint Germain-proof €1 billion ($1.1 billion) release clauses.

As has been well-documented, however, the Catalans have faced difficulties registering the contracts with La Liga.

At the turn of 2023, they even went to court with the Spanish top flight regarding Gavi’s case. At first winning an appeal and registering Gavi with head coach Xavi Hernandez’s old number ‘6’ jersey, Barca then had the decision overturned with Gavi stripped of the shirt and forced to return to his old ’30’.

Widespread reports from outlets such as The Athletic have detailed how Gavi will be able to leave on a free this summer. In recent weeks, Chelsea have already approached his camp to sound out a potential move according to AS.

On Thursday, however, during an appearance on El Chiringuito, Mundo Deportivo journalist Marcal Lorente has reported solid dates by stating that not just Gavi, but also Araujo, will be free to leave on July 1 as their current contracts will cease to exit.

Lorente points out that Gavi is worth €60 million ($66 million) and Araujo €90 million ($99 million) according to trusted site transfermarkt.

In reality, however, losing both players on free transfers would be far more damaging in the long run than Barca’s immediate need to balance the books and wipe off €200 million ($218 million) from the wage bill, which are the main reasons for the failure to register their contracts.

As mainstays in Xavi’s first team plans, they are irreplaceable “untouchables” at the club with like-for-like replacements elsewhere on the market incredibly expensive and out of reach for a Blaugrana outfit riddled with debts.

Before even entertaining the prospect of Lionel Messi’s potential return, Barca need to iron out this problem and tie Gavi and Araujo down until the mid-2020s at least as was originally planned.