Julián Araujo will move on loan from Barcelona to UD Las Palmas

Although this deal was reported weeks ago, Julián Araujo’s move to Las Palmas has only been signed off by Barcelona management and the player himself within the last 24-48 hours. The Barca right-back will now travel to Gran Canaria to complete his medical and be presented as a new Pío Pío player in the next 24 hours.

The deal will see the Mexican right-back play for La Unión Deportiva on loan for the 2023/24 season, and the agreement does not include an option to buy.

Barcelona is extremely high on the talented defender but wants him to gain European experience before attempting to integrate him into the first team.

Barca president Joan Laporta in an interview with ESPN recently confirmed Araujo’s exit:

"“Araujo is spoken well of throughout the club. Great right-back who also has a great understanding with his teammates. He came from here from LA Galaxy and here he is,” Laporta said.“He has spent time at Barça [academy in the US], he has the Barça stamp and he has felt well treated. He’s a great professional and has a long career.”“He will be loaned out for next season. It is something we are working on.”"

Araujo had options, but Barca wanted European placement

It’s always been the plan for Araujo to head on loan this year, but the delay in confirming the agreement was likely due to the number of suitors interested in his services.

According to a report in SPORT, Barca received interest from the MLS and teams in the Mexican Liga MX, but part of the maturation process is seeing how the 21-year-old handles European football.

At one point it appeared as though he may follow Nico Gonzalez to Porto, but the Portuguese powerhouse couldn’t guarantee first-team football, and it’s pointless for the defender to move somewhere just to sit on the bench.

Instead, he’ll find the perfect opportunity with former Barça Atlètic coach García Pimienta’s promoted Las Palmas. Not only will he have the opportunity to experience European football for the first time, but he’ll be playing in La Liga, offering Barcelona the perfect opportunity to evaluate his play.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, it’s likely that Barca will insert a clause which stipulates that Las Palmas will need to pay extra if the right-back were to appear against his parent club. Similar to the clause they inserted into the loan deal which saw Pablo Torre head to Girona.

With a big question mark hovering over the right-back position with Barca, this is the ideal opportunity for Araujo to prove that he’s the long-term answer.