​Atlético Madrid have this week been credited with an interest in the signature of a member of the defensive ranks at La Liga rivals Barcelona.The Blaugrana star in the sights of the Metropolitano brass? Ronald Araújo.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStopper Araújo is for his part of course fresh off what proved to be a challenging campaign all told in Catalunya’s capital in 2025/26.Targeted so ruthlessly with criticism, the Uruguayan at one point required a break from football entirely, to focus on his struggles with mental health.Coupled with injury problems and mounting competition for places in Hansi Flick’s backline, Araújo found himself acting as a backup, rather than a starter.One individual who remains a keen admirer of the talents boasted by the 27-year-old, though, comes in the form of Diego Simeone.As per a report from Mundo Deportivo:AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement‘Diego Simeone likes his aggressive and powerful style of play. Atlético Madrid might consider him now that their centre-backsGiménez and Lenglet have left.’Atléti could attempt to make use of negotiations with Barcelona over Julián Alvarez to gauge the likelihood of Araújo heading in the opposite direction.Conor Laird – GSFN