27 Oct 2026 21:51:20
Obviously I'm a self-proclaimed member of the Ronald Araujo fan club, and I'm hoping the Club doesn't dillydally on making him permanent. I just read what Nyoni said about him today; how his example is driving the team forward even though he can't even speak English. That's the galvanizing spirit and the effect of a leader right there. I saw Nyoni charge into a tackle as his first contribution when he came on last game and nearly injured himself given his slender frame.
But after reading what he just said about Araujo, maybe he's been bitten by the big too. He probably was pumped up seeing Araujo destroy everything on his paths, and Nyoni couldn't wait to get on the pitch and have a taste of the action!
That's the Araujo effect, and long may it continue!
27 Oct 2026 22:12:22
I don't get the call to make his deal permanent asap, he could do his ACL in a month. You can still make it permanent in February or March if he's still playing well.
27 Oct 2026 22:24:14
I don't know how all this works, but the loan is for the season, so would we not just go and sign him in the summer? I am preparing myself for the club to do the opposite of what the fans want and not sign him because he is 28, then buy someone that has potential.
One thing for certain is, he is our best right back, when everyone is fit and well. Bradley bar the tackle on Mbappe, has not done anything, and he is permanently injured, and Frimpong is, well Frimpong is Frimpong. He's not a right back.
27 Oct 2026 22:37:25
other strings to his bow, he has actually played more games for barcelona at centre half his proper position, was he bought to replace VVD at the end of this season? and was a captain of barcelona, a captain proves he's no duffer also, he not only can replace bradley connor, frimpong, but also joe gomez who is out of contract and goes for nowt next year on the 30/06/2027 as a free transfer.
YNWA Andoni.
27 Oct 2026 22:51:06
There are so many unknowns at the moment, for me it makes sense to wait.
Don't get me wrong, I love Araujo as much as the next fan, but a lot can change.
Forgetting injuries, we have a lot of other moving parts - will VVD extend his contract, what will VVD want, what will Araujo want, will Leoni come back fully fit and firing, what about Connor Bradley.
I think Iraola likes Araujo too so I think the chances are high but I'd wait until we know more. There's no rush.
28 Oct 2026 00:07:44
I would hazard a guess that he was brought in because AI wanted him and because our options were severely limited at the time Ndukwe, the standout CB, on the pre-season tour had been told he needed to qualify to get a work permit, Jacquet, Leoni and Joe having picked up a knock in the first pre-season game in America, were injured and VVD was on hold after the World Cup. Also Bradley was / is injured and Frimpong wasn't ready to play.
I'd be extremely surprised if his attitude and approach were to change over the course of 8 or 9 months - at 27 he is a nature adult and how he manages his life probably won't change radically. So the only real issues are
1. Come next May / June does he want to stay
2. Do the club think he has something that the club, squad, team need in terms of playing ability, attitude, influence on and off the pitch
Personally, I think he is the real deal - love his attitude and commitment and he has the right skills for the job at hand. I'd sign him up now, but that's just me being a fan and I'm sure AI and Wardy (trying that out as a nickname but I'm not sure) will take time to make a decision. Really, there's no rush.
28 Oct 2026 00:26:22
If he continues as he's started it's a no brainer for me, regardless of whether VVD stays or goes. Ndukwe will need time to develop and we have no idea how Leoni will be when he's back fully fit, which might still take some time.
Hell everyone raves about Leoni being great for one half against a championship team, when the reality is none of us have any idea how good he is, could be or even how suited he is to the rigours of the Premier League week in, week out.
28 Oct 2026 06:49:18
We need a cb in that mid-late 20s who has experience regardless if vvd stays r not. Next season gomez will be gone, aside from vvd all our cb options will be 22 r under. U can't go into a season will all your cbs so young, definitely a position that needs experience.
28 Oct 2026 09:45:17
Every chance we sign him up, but let's wait until the summer. A lot can happen. AI and the club could fancy a Zabarnyi or some other younger defender.
28 Oct 2026 10:27:31
Don't understand all this talk of should we or shouldn't we sign Ron, he's done everything we want of him and he's got 7 years on vvd, what's to think about, the guy puts everything into each game and hasn't let us down once.
Of course we'll try and sign him, hopefully he'll want to stay too.
28 Oct 2026 11:29:42
He has, but 7 years on Virg is like two or three on a normal defender. The likes of Rio and Terry were done by Virgil's age. No point measuring him against Van Dijk. if he keeps going as he is, doesn't get injured and actually WANTS to sign I'm sure the club will get it done.
28 Oct 2026 12:18:34
The loan includes an option to buy so the deal is already done. Why take the option before the end of the loan?
28 Oct 2026 18:15:02
Interestingly, the messaging from the laptop boys at the time of his signing, which was down to Andoni, was that he wasn't seen as a long-term option.
According to plenty of Barca fans, he lacks the finesse required for their current set-up and certainly seems more suited to the Premier League.
I hope his move is made permanent, although I can see Atlético and Bayern being interested too, so he'll have options.
Hopefully, the love he's getting from the fans will win him over. We need that energy in the team.
{Ed666's Note - I love Ronnie as the next guy but am I the only one that thinks we should see him play in his natural position before we spunk north of 45 million pounds on him?
28 Oct 2026 23:45:12
Not too shabby as a CB tonight. BTW what was that gangly Chelsea boy doing to VVD and how'd he get away with it.
29 Oct 2026 05:06:35
At the end of the day we're a business and we know Barca are desperate financially. That deal to sign him permanently isn't going anywhere but we might just try to get him cheaper.