Liverpool activates Ronald Araujo's buyout option for €55 million

Liverpool have made official contact with Barcelona to trigger the buyout option for 27-year-old Uruguayan central defender Ronald Araujo for a fixed fee of €55 million.

The defender is fully convinced by the Merseyside club's sporting project and has expressed a firm desire to commit his long-term future to Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool's hierarchy are viewing Araujo as the main successor to Virgil van Dijk, who is expected to leave the club at the end of the current season.

Both parties are now initiating the final legal procedures to secure the transfer, with official confirmation anticipated soon.