Liverpool agree loan deal for top-class centre-back in move nobody expected

Liverpool have agreed a loan deal for a top-class centre-back in a move nobody expected, as Andoni Iraola looks to bolster his defence.

With Joe Gomez sustaining a muscle injury in pre-season, and Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni still sidelined with injuries, Iraola currently has just one first-team centre-back - Virgil van Dijk - at full fitness, with just over two weeks until Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United on August 23.

The Reds continue to be linked with PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, with the clubs still apart on the former’s valuation and PSG seeking a fee of £145million for the French international.

Meanwhile, Iraola has already welcomed Spanish winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna this window, and it appears that he is set to become teammates with a La Liga centre-back, as Fabrizio Romano dropped a huge bombshell on Friday evening (August 7).

The Italian journalist reported that Liverpool have agreed a season-long loan deal to sign Uruguayan centre-back Ronald Araujo from Barcelona, with a verbal agreement between the clubs having already been approved by Barca sporting director Deco.

He wrote: "Ronald Araujo will join Liverpool, it’s all done and documents being signed in 24h.

"The loan agreement includes a BUY OPTION clause, up to #LFC as it’s NOT mandatory. Barcelona already gave green light."

The 27-year-old featured 24 times in La Liga last term, helping Hansi Flick’s side win the Spanish top flight.

The South American has also won a further two league titles, two Copa del Reys and three Spanish Super Cups with the Catalan club. The defender boasts 27 Uruguay caps and represented the nation during this summer's World Cup.

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Liverpool fans react to Araujo loan deal

Fans were quick to react to the shock news on social media.

One said: "Strange one this; doesn’t really play due to lack of pace and Barcelona’s high line. Good in the air and strong but lacks pace. To be honest, might be more suited to Premier League."

A second added: "In terms of profile, Araújo is really exactly what Liverpool needs: A centre-back with more experience so we don't have to rely solely on the youngsters, and also a player who can play right-back, since our full-backs are made of porcelain. But in terms of level, he's been far from the level he seemed destined to reach when he started his career. Now he's become a reserve at Barcelona."

A third commented: "I’m ok with Ronald Araujo signing on loan, it’s an emergency loan signing for short term but he can play CB and RB.

"He’ll add the numbers and fill in, but he’s a squad player when everyone is fit."

As a fourth waded in: "Araujo will either be a very shrewd signing or one that gets pointed to as an example of just how poorly planned this window has been for a club who’ve had so much to do."