Barcelona will be able to register a new player in Hansi Flick’s squad thanks to Ronald Araujo’s injury, without falling foul of Financial Fair Play regulations.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona will present La Liga with documentation proving that Araujo will be out for more than four months, allowing them to register a replacement player on a one-season contract at a salary of up to 80% of the Uruguayan’s wages.
Barcelona previously utilized this rule last season when they signed Victor Roque to replace the cruciate ligament-injured Gavi.
The club is leaning towards registering defender Inigo Martinez instead of letting him leave for free this summer, as the 33-year-old can provide cover for Araujo at center-back and is also willing to accept a bench role.
Catalan newspapers had reported that Martinez could be on his way out due to both Financial Fair Play restrictions and Flick’s reluctance to use him, but the situation has changed, and the Blaugrana board believes it is a good opportunity to keep him for another year, where he can contribute to the team in one way or another.
