Report: Barcelona handed boost in bid to renew key star's contract

Barcelona are reported to have received a double boost over the future of centre-back Ronald Araujo, who could return from injury and put pen to paper on a new contract in the coming weeks.

The 25-year-old went down with a hamstring injury in July and has not been seen since, with his serious injury putting a halt to any talks over an extension to his current contract, which expires in the summer of 2026.

According to SPORT, the current international break has given Barcelona the time to focus on Araujo, who has given club officials a real sense of positivity about both his return to action and his desire to ink fresh terms.

Last season, when initial contract talks were held, Barcelona feared Araujo's head had been turned somewhat by interest from Bayern Munich, but the Uruguayan now appears more committed to the Camp Nou project and is excited to work under new manager Hansi Flick.

As a result, Araujo is expected to be receptive to the offer of a new contract, which is likely to be made in the coming weeks once he completes his return to action.

A decision over a return to team training is expected to be made imminently, and while Araujo will still need more time to rebuild his fitness, a return to competitive action in December appears to be on the cards.

"We're not putting pressure on him," Flick told the media before the international break. "He's progressing well. He's improving, he's increasing the intensity in training, but we won't put pressure on him because the injury is considerable.

"But the way I see it, he's on the right track. He's fantastic. The passes he makes are incredible."

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