30 Oct 2026 15:34:53
Some talk of Araujo joining permanently as early as January, if a reduced fee can be agreed to, and Barca always needs the money. I wouldn't be against it, frankly. However, I would much rather the club focus on a DM as a first priority to solidify our midfield. Araujo is not going anywhere anyway, until next summer (if the loan is not taken up).
30 Oct 2026 16:15:29
All day everyday. He's been fantastic and is a great option at RB.
{Ed666's Note - he’s a limited RB although he’s having a purple patch currently..let’s see what his abilities are at CB for a few months before we spunk a tonne of money on just warrior spirit
30 Oct 2026 17:34:46
Well I would rather spunk money on some warrior mentality, physicality and desire than the money we are spunking on players going through the motions and taking their wages.
He is already rubbing off on some of the other players. Nyoni is throwing himself in to tackles and some of the others.
We need some fire in the team! Also can cover two positions.
30 Oct 2026 17:21:34
Ed666, I think we had this same convo on a previous thread. I get where you are coming from, but I would be more than happy to spend up to the £47m (obvs less if possible) even if he were a crap CB. We have spent as much as £47m on current FBs (and Cheaty have spent a lot more over the years) and if AI thinks that a more defensive focused RB fits how he wants to set the team up (making a back 3 for fast breaks when the LB is playing up the wing) then I'm all for it.
He did look composed on Wednesday playing at CB, and that was enough for me. His attitude and his timing in the tackle is just amazing.
{Ed666's Note - I have no qualms about ronnnies abilities I just want to see if he can sustain the form before I would sounk the money
30 Oct 2026 17:24:21
I tend to agree, Ed666. I like him but it would have to be a really good deal to convince me.
I have seen people make the argument that we need an experienced centre-back to lead the back-line if Van Dijk leaves but I don't think Araujo speaks English so I personally don't think that would work.
I personally would rather sign an out-and-out right-back, extend Van Dijk for one more year and give the game-time to Jacquet, Leoni and Ndukwe. Maybe then go for a truly transformative centre-back like Vuksovic depending on how all the young centre-backs develop.
{Ed666's Note - I would be shocked if he’s not having English lessons right now to assimilate into the club and new cultural surroundings
30 Oct 2026 18:46:53
Do we have to pay more if he rubs himself off on other players?
30 Oct 2026 19:20:53
He will be in front of h. r if he's rubbing himself on other players.
30 Oct 2026 21:50:18
This is where cold business has to rule, unless Barca are willing to take a large lump out of the fee why would we rush to pay it? We've got the deal already - why rush to bring it forward? A lot could happen in 7/8 months, ruptured acls, chronic anxiety or a collapse in form.
If Barca want to shift that liability onto us then they need to pay (via reducing the fee). Let's not forget they are the club that took Luis from us for silly money and got one of our players to strike.
30 Oct 2026 22:07:46
Ronald is doing well but is there any sense in doing the deal earlier, a lot can happen in 6 months, as others have said he could get a massive injury, drop off on form, or another younger player could emerge as a target.
No complaints about him so far he has been immense but unless an early deal saves us millions then let's just wait and see!
30 Oct 2026 22:33:55
When you buy a used car, do you tell the dealers that you'll only pay the full amount after using it for 6 months, in case of an accident, or in case you and your family stop loving the car, or in case it breaks down on the highway? It's a terrible analogy, but I hope you get the point. It sounds like what we're doing here with regards to Ronald Araujo, and I personally find it baffling.
Every team needs fighters. If I think about all the money we've flushed down the toilet and the amount we've lost on good players leaving on a free the last few years, I don't think the amount we're talking about is too much to pay for "warrior spirit." Did you see our team last season? Forget about whether we came out first or fifth. How "dead" was the vibe? Boy, it was dead everywhere, from the pitch to AXA to the Kop; everything was flat! Dead! Some of us even stopped watching altogether; just watching highlights and replays.
The psychology of having an absolute fighter having a renaissance in your team; how much are you willing to pay for that when you have young kids (players) coming through, like Nyoni and Rio and Jacquet, seeing and watching that everyday? I don't think you can put a price tag on that. You can see the reaction of the fans to him everyday; you can see that this fight is infecting the whole stadium and the whole team, and you're sitting comfortably and asking for more time to see how he does. How will he do?
Players lose form; players get injured and anything can happen. But in Araujo, this is not like getting a 22-year old South American who has potential but ultimately dreaming of playing for Barca or Madrid. This is actually the reverse. He's already been there and done that. He was the freaking Captain of Barca, guys; won them things. We got a discount due to a cruel twist of fate, and we're screwing around waiting to see how he develops. We should be thanking the gods for this opportunity and sorting this out ASAP.
Honestly, in Ronald Araujo, we're so lucky to have a Day 1 leader who can naturally command the respect of all the players especially as Virgil ages, and we're second-guessing that? I don'tcare if he speaks English or Chinese! It's a very young team; we've lost Robbo and Mo; we lost Millie and Hendo before that. [Just look at what Hendo is doing for Chelsea this late in his day!] Everybody knows how laid back Virgil is as a captain, even though he commands the respect of the team. How can you muck around with this gift-wrapped delivery right in our hands? You're willing to plunge hundreds of millions on players who may yet come good, but you turn around and second-guess and hesitate to spill much less than half of that on a true warrior who's just been reborn and fresh out of the fire and rising from the ashes like a phoenix???
30 Oct 2026 19:44:20
I suspect he is, Ed666. But there are language lessons and language lessons, aren't there? I've learnt three other languages besides English and you have to go all in to get anywhere.
Bale was supposedly having language lessons at Madrid and never got anywhere after nearly a decade. Kane can't speak German after over three years and he is supposedly having lessons. Diaz and Nunez never really got very far with their English.
I don't know all of their personal circumstances so I'm not making this point for the purpose of condemning them. I am just not putting my hat on Araujo's English being good enough to be the leader in the defence by next year.
{Ed666's Note - like I said mate it’s not his English I’m worried about it’s his form. If he plays CB enough this season and plays well then signing him is a no brainer irrespective of his anglais.
30 Oct 2026 22:16:21
Fair enough Ed666, and given the concerns we had on the boards when he joined regarding his fitness, then I think it is worth seeing if his body can last out a full PL season.
I don't think we need to see too much of him at CB though, as, given him proving his fitness through more of the season, then I would be more than happy to spunk the money based solely on his RB showings.
{Ed666's Note - mate there’s better right backs out there for 45 million plus
31 Oct 2026 13:09:27
We had a huge leadership void last season IMO.
Araujo had adequately filled that void and is playing well. It'll be tricky to sustain that form but unless he completely flops I'd keep him as a CB/utility defender and LEADER.
We need that, the many young defenders need it.
31 Oct 2026 08:47:12
Name a few guaranteed better right backs there ed666?
Frimpong cost what 35mil and he can't kick snow off a rope.
Kayode is one I can potentially think of who knows the league and even then he's a gamble, look at kerkez and i'd be surprised if we got Kayode for cheaper than 45mil too.
Although I do agree there's no rush to signing him unless we got a significant drop on the asking price which I'd imagine we won't given his form. Frankly I think he's been just what we needed at right back, we have plenty of attacking talent on the pitch, shoring up the back line was a massive challenge and he's helped do that ten fold. My only concern is injury record but touch wood so far so good.
Attitude wise he's a throw back, love the passion! It's Contagious and something the young lads will no doubt benefit from. Of course maybe he's not a nice bloke around the training park or something but haven't heard anything of that sort yet anyway nor in his past. He's at a good age, I also think his ability is underrated because of his all action style, he's strong, not slow for a big lad and knows when to play an easy pass. has he Trent range of passing, no but who does. but the rest of what he gives you is an absolute no brainer for me.
Love Big Ron! Let's hope he can stick the boot into Lego heads side tomorrow!
Mon you Redmen!
{Ed666's Note - Livramento and Reid
31 Oct 2026 17:59:51
Ed666, Ronnie is playing really well and I think is angles are spot on, don't know where you get that from mate!
{Ed666's Note - It’s a small sample size mate. If he continues in the same vein and proves himself at CB I have no problems signing him up.
31 Oct 2026 18:16:13
Edd666 name one and not trent. Name me one top class rb who'd also be avaliable. Hakimi is never joining. Name me of these loads of better rb's?.
{Ed666's Note - Reid and Livramento
01 Nov 2026 08:00:06
unless there is long term injury to Jacquet / VVD, we will never know if Araujo can sustain it at CB.