"The club has started talks" - Barcelona star confirms contract discussions

Ronald Araujo has said that he is "very happy" at Barcelona and confirmed that discussions over a new contract with the Catalan giants have started.

The centre-back's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with both Bayern Munich and Manchester United thought to be interested in signing the Uruguay international.

There have been claims that the La Liga champions would be open to a big-money sale this summer due to their financial problems, but the club's head coach Xavi recently said that he 'only sees Araujo at Barcelona'.

The 25-year-old has now addressed his future, insisting that he is "very happy" with his current situation and revealing that discussions over a fresh deal have been opened.

"The truth is that it's going well. The club has started talks with my agents. We are thinking about these games and what remains of the season. And when the season is over, they will sit down and talk," Barca Universal quotes him as saying at the unveiling of his new book.

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Ronald Araujo in talks over a new deal at Barcelona

"The future is always talked about, and it will be like that every year, but I am very happy in Barcelona, ​​my family is happy here. I show it on the field by giving my all, and I will fight until the end for Barcelona to return to what it has always been."

Araujo, who has a deal at Camp Nou until June 2026, has again been a key player for Barcelona this season, making 33 appearances in all competitions, but he was sent off against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the second leg of his side's Champions League quarter-final.

The defender was given his marching orders in the 29th minute of the match following a challenge on Bradley Barcola, and Barcelona went on to lose 4-1 in the second leg, which saw them eliminated from the competition courtesy of a 6-4 aggregate defeat.

"I am sad, like all Barcelona fans, because of the red card. The shot was 50-50 and the referee made the decision. It hurts," Araujo added when questioned on the incident.

"To the young fans of Barcelona, ​​I tell them we are very sorry and that is how football is.

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"We are Barcelona and we have a very good young group, which will fight for the Champions League next year, and I am sure we will bring them a lot of joy."

Araujo and his teammates are now preparing for Sunday's trip to Real Madrid in La Liga, with the Catalan giants looking to move to within five points of division leaders Los Blancos.

"We treat El Clasico as an important revenge. We must change our mentality and we have a chance to compete for the league, which is the competition that remains for us. I think we have the chance to win El Clasico," he added.

"We have to fight for the league until the end. If we win, we will cut points. There are mathematical options and we have to fight."

Barcelona have been victorious in each of their last four league matches, while they have not been beaten in Spain's top flight since a 5-3 home loss to Villarreal at the end of January.