Barcelona are confident of finally nailing down the long-term future of Ronald Araujo as they expect the defender to sign a contract extension.

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Araujo linked with Barcelona exitExpected to sign a contract extensionDefender working on recovery from injuryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The centre-back's future at the Spanish side has been in doubt for some time, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich said to be monitoring his situation. However, Araujo now appears likely to sign a new deal with Barcelona, reports, with the club expecting him to put pen to paper before the end of the season.

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Araujo's current deal with Barcelona expires in 2026 and the Catalan club are prepared to meet with his agent in the coming weeks to wrap up an extension. New coach Hansi Flick has praised the 25-year-old having seen him in training, saying earlier this month: "He’s fantastic. The passes he makes are incredible." Flick's trust is reported to have made the defender warm to the idea of signing an extension.

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Araujo has been a key figure in the Barcelona backline, having made 150 appearances for the club. The defender suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Uruguay at the Copa America in July and had to have an operation on the issue, keeping him out of action so far this season.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARAUJO?

Before settling his future, Araujo will hope to be back in action before long as he continues his recovery.

"We’re not putting pressure on him," Flick said. "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."