Former Los Angeles Galaxy star Julián Araujo has left Barcelona after just 18 months with the club and without ever playing for the Catalan giants. On Tuesday, Premier League side Bournemouth announced they had signed the Mexican right-back.
The Premier League club will pay an initial €10m, and Araujo has signed a contract until 2029. As part of the deal, the LA Galaxy will earn another €1m on the initial €4m deal agreed on in January 2023. The Mexican international was already the most expensive sale in LA Galaxy history and has now further increased his lead at the top of that table
It is an incredible piece of business for the Galaxy. But Barça, too, have made a profit. Loaned to UD Las Palmas last season, where he played 27 games (two goals), Araujo managed to increase his market value to €8m. Now, after 18 months under contract in Barcelona, the Catalans have sold Araujo with €5m profit.
Araujo deal helps Barca – What can he add to Bournemouth?
The transfer fee will help Barca to finance the €60m transfer package paid to RB Leipzig for winger Dani Olmo. Without earning money on the market, Barcelona would have been unable to register new players. But the deal also means that the LaLiga giants have just one right back, talent Héctor Fort, under contract. Last season, Jules Koundé often had to play that position. Barca remain hopeful to sign João Cancelo, who was on loan at the club last season, from Man City on a permanent deal.