Report: Chelsea eye Barcelona star after Maresca demands new defender

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a bid for Barcelona star Ronald Araujo after first-choice defender Levi Colwill suffered a long-term injury. 

According to a report from Football Espana, the Blues are weighing up a bid for Barcelona's second captain, Ronald Araujo, who was recently made first captain temporarily before Marc-André ter Stegen was reinstated after settling with the club. 

Following Inigo Martinez’s departure to Al Nassr, as recently confirmed by Barcelona, Araujo is expected to line up beside Pau Cubarsi as the starting centre-backs for next season. 

Still, Chelsea have set sights on him, and they believe they can sign him for around €50 million, according to the report. Barcelona were initially prepared to lose Araujo this season, as he had a temporary €60 million release clause. However, that window has closed, and they are preparing for the new season, intending for the Uruguayan to have a prominent role. 

As Pulse Sports reported, Colwill has undergone successful surgery on his ACL. The defender is expected to be sidelined for a large part of the upcoming season.

The defender suffered the unfortunate injury in training, and despite having other options in the positions and the recent signing of Jarrell Hato, Chelsea are said to be in the market for extra cover. 

The initial brief from the club was that they would not be making an emergency signing after Colwill’s injury; however, today, Maresca said that he wanted a new signing in the position. “It’s a priority for me to get a new centre-back. We will see if we go for it,” he said, per Fabrizio Romano.