Barcelona are currently in the process of finalizing the departure of Julian Araujo on a loan deal to newly promoted La Liga club Las Palmas.
Last week, Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed that the 21-year-old Mexican international would be leaving on loan, and it seems that his departure is now very near.
Several other clubs, including CA Osasuna, Feyenoord, and FC Porto, had expressed interest in acquiring his services.
However, it appears that Pimienta has successfully persuaded the young right-back to join Las Palmas.
Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the 21-year-old right-back will be joining Las Palmas on a season-long loan deal.
According to Romano, Las Palmas, who recently earned promotion to La Liga, have been actively pursuing the signature of Julian Araujo since June. They have now successfully convinced him to make the move.
Araujo joined Barcelona in February of this year, but he has not been able to represent the Blaugrana in any competitive games.
This is because FIFA did not authorize his transfer due to a minor delay in the club’s submission of the necessary paperwork.
Therefore, the Mexican international player spent the past six months without participating in club football matches.
He was only restricted to training with both the first team and the Barça Atletic squad.
However, Julian Araujo made his sole appearance as a Blaugrana in the post-season friendly against Vissel Kobe.
Considering the 21-year-old’s lack of experience in European football, Barcelona needed to arrange a loan move for him to a club where he can receive consistent playing time.
Playing under a manager like Garcia Pimienta, who has a deep understanding of Barcelona’s style of play, Araujo will definitely improve at Las Palmas during his stint.
Who is Barcelona youngster Julian Araujo?
Julian Araujo, born 13 August 2001 is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Primera Federación club Barcelona Atlètic.
He was born in the United States, but he represents the Mexico national team.
Julian Araujo club career
Araujo, who is of Mexican descent, was born in Lompoc, California.
After spending two years at Lompoc High School, he decided to leave home and join the Barça Residency Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona in 2017.
Araujo began his professional football career at LA Galaxy II. He made his professional debut on 4 October 2018 in a 2-2 draw with Seattle Sounders FC 2.
On March 1, 2019, LA Galaxy acquired Araujo by trading $50,000 of Targeted Allocation Money to the Colorado Rapids, securing the first spot in the Waivers Order.
Araujo had a total of 108 appearances with the Galaxy, scoring once in the regular season and once again in the playoffs.
A transfer agreement was reached between FC Barcelona and LA Galaxy for Araujo on February 1, 2023.
However, the paperwork was delivered 18 seconds late, causing the deal to be left in limbo.
FIFA initially rejected the transfer, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport later overruled their decision. On 17 February, Araujo was ultimately transferred to Barcelona.
His international career
Araujo has represented both the United States and Mexico national teams.
After an injury to Ayo Akinola, Araujo was named to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup squad to represent the United States under-20 team.
On 27 November 2021, Araujo was included in the Mexico national football team which was put together by Gerardo Martino for a friendly match against Chile.
In the summer of 2023, Araujo along with the Mexican national team obtained a 3rd place finish at the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals and they won the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship.
