Juventus set to sign key Barcelona player

Juventus are set to announce Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo as their first January reinforcement.

This follows an agreement of personal terms with the player. They now just have to finalize the loan deal with the Blaugrana.

The Uruguayan will be credible for the Bianconeri, who have been on the lookout for a defensive addition since Gleison Bremer sustained a season-ending injury. With this addition to the squad, Araujo is set to be their first winter signing, and a host of names are on their wishlist.

Juve FC TV reported that the Bianconeri made a significant step forward in negotiations with the player’s camp and are now in agreement over the terms of his contract, with Araujo willing to move to the Allianz Stadium.

All that’s left is for Juventus to persuade Barcelona to let the center-back go – while the Turin giants hope to secure a loan deal with an option to buy.

According to reports, this is contrary to what the Spanish outfit wants. They aim to make the move permanent and would like to include an obligation to purchase.

As they can’t splash much cash in the middle of a season, Juventus wants a loan deal and seems confident about striking it in the coming days.

Juventus could also keep working on other targets, such as Benfica’s Antonio Silva and Feyenoord’s David Hancko, as director Giuntoli wants to provide Thiago Motta with at least two defensive reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Douglas Luiz may not leave the Turin club this window as he is expected to start in the Turin derby.

With several Premier League links, Thiago Motta seems to want to give the struggling midfielder his biggest opportunity since joining the club by handing him a start in Saturday’s Derby della Mole against Torino.

The Bianconeri were reportedly open to letting him go in case loan offers included an obligation to buy, but Manuel Locatelli’s one-game ban is set to pave the way for the Brazilian’s third start of the season.