La Liga: Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo set for four months out after surgery

Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo is set to be sidelined for around four months after deciding to undergo surgery on a hamstring problem, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Araújo, 25, was injured in Uruguay’s quarterfinal win against Brazil at the Copa América and missed the rest of the tournament.

After consultation with Barça’s medical team, he has now decided to have an operation on the injured hamstring.

The Catalan club have not detailed how long he will be out of action, but sources told ESPN he is unlikely to return until around November.

“Tests carried out at the Ciutat Esportiva have shown that Araujo has a right hamstring injury,” Barça said in a statement on Monday.

“He will undergo surgery led by Dr. Lasse Lempainen, supervised by the club’s medical staff, in Finland. After the procedure, a medical update will be released.”

Barça returned to preseason this last week under new coach Hansi Flick and will kick off the 2024-25 LaLiga campaign at Valencia on Aug. 17.

The injury setback comes amid continued doubts about Araújo’s future at Barça.

ESPN revealed earlier this year that Barça are open to offers for the centre-back after he moved into the final two years of his deal this month.

Negotiations to extend his contract beyond its 2026 expiry have not progressed with reported interest from Bayern Munich and Premier League.

Barça, therefore, aware that his value will decrease as he moves towards the end of terms, would consider a transfer this summer.