Transfer Centre

FIFA block Barcelona deal for Julian Araujo

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 February 2023

FIFA confirm that Barcelona's late January deal for Los Angeles Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo was blocked due to a late submission of documents.

FIFA have confirmed that they have blocked Barcelona's deadline-day move for Los Angeles Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo.

La Blaugrana moved fast to agree a late deal for the 21-year-old, who was poised to replace Hector Bellerin at Camp Nou following the Spaniard's move to Sporting Lisbon.

Barcelona and Galaxy are believed to have agreed a €4m (£3.3m) for the transfer of Araujo, who would have initially joined up with the Blaugrana's B team.

However, the necessary documents were not submitted in time, and the transfer window slammed shut with Araujo still on the books at LA Galaxy.

Barca sporting director Mateu Alemany revealed that a technical issue was to blame for Araujo's failed move, telling reporters: "It didn't arrive on time due to a computer error, it seems that the systems fell and for only 18 seconds.

Julian Araujo celebrates after scoring a goal against the Nashville SC on October 15, 2022 © Reuters

"We have to wait to see what FIFA decides, but there has been a bit of confusion with his destination, which would be the reserve team, not the first team.

"We're fine and the coach is calm. There have been three exits for [Gerard] Piqué, Memphis [Depay] and Bellerín that have meant significant economic savings and we have prioritized saving the savings for later and to register renewed players, such as Ronald Araujo, Inaki Pena and Marcos Alonso."

In a statement released to ESPN, FIFA confirmed that Barcelona's deal for Araujo did not meet the "applicable regulations", and the transfer could not go through as a result.

"FIFA can confirm that the transfer of the player Julian Araujo from LA Galaxy to FC Barcelona was not completed in line with the applicable regulations," the statement read.

Barcelona are expected to go back in for Araujo following their failed winter approach, with Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney revealing that the Blaugrana have had their eye on the youngster for some time.

FC Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on January 8, 2023 © Reuters

"This is, I think, the second window that we've had some interaction with them (Barcelona) about Julian (Araujo)," Vanney told the press. "The discussion about what a deal would actually look like, started to get really clear and negotiating.

"So, it was over the last three to four days where those discussions started to pick up and get momentum. And things started to happen fast, hence the reason why it went down to the wire. But it's clearly someone that they've had on their radar because in previous windows they've poked around and asked about him."

Araujo has scored two goals and set up 14 more in 109 appearances for LA Galaxy across all competitions, including five assists from 33 MLS games in the 2022 regular season.

The three-cap Mexico international - who is contracted to Barca until 2025 - was not the only player to see a deadline-day move fall through, as Paris Saint-Germain failed to get a deal for Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech over the line.

PSG were allegedly left furious after Chelsea sent over the wrong documents, and also sent them late, after Ziyech had already completed a medical and pleaded with the Blues to let him leave.