Liverpool agree deal to sign 27yo Barcelona star

Liverpool have reached a surprise agreement to sign Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo on loan with an option to buy next summer.

The Merseyside giants have been short in the central defensive department with the injuries to Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni.

Virgil van Dijk is the only fit senior centre-back in the squad, but he will soon be joined by Araujo. A loan deal has been finalised for the Uruguayan.

The Reds are prepared to cover his wages for the whole campaign and have also secured a buy clause worth €55 million for the 27-year-old.

Araujo is said to be excited by the opportunity to play in the Premier League and looks poised to secure a starting role from the beginning.

He is expected to operate as the right centre-back for the Merseyside outfit, but could also play as a right-back for the club, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Araujo is set to travel tomorrow to Liverpool to undergo his medical.