Ronald Araujo has been an instant success at Liverpool after joining on loan from Barcelona in August, with fans keen to see the Uruguayan’s move become a permanent affair.

The Reds have not historically had much success in regards to loan deals, but Araujo is bucking that trend after being given the chance to cement a place in Liverpool’s best XI. There is definitely a chance that Araujo could be signed permanently, with the Reds retaining an option to buy the defender for around £47m.

Alejandro Balde aiming to copy Araujo’s success

Liverpool have well-documented issues at left-back currently, with both Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas struggling so far this season. Tsimikas is likely to leave, meaning the Reds will need a new player regardless, and given how poor Kerkez has been, they should be looking at one who could become a regular starter.

According to Sport, Liverpool are interested in Balde, and have already spoken to the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, about the conditions of a January transfer.

Barcelona are reportedly keen to sell the 23-year-old permanently, and are asking for around £33m in that scenario, but Balde himself is said to be angling for an initial loan move. Inspired by Araujo’s success at Liverpool, the left-back is claimed to be hoping to join a team who can give him a platform in the starting XI.

If those conditions are met, Balde is said to be open to then leaving Barcelona permanently, and as they continue to look for solutions at left-back, that sounds like the ideal kind of situation for Liverpool.

Romano confirms Balde could leave

It feels probable that, with two left-backs at their disposal, Liverpool will choose to wait until the summer before addressing their concerns at left-back. However, Kerkez and Tsimikas’ woes are becoming an increasingly big problem for Andoni Iraola, and if an earlier solution can be found, then it should be explored.

The January window is notoriously difficult to find long-term fixes in, and it would be a surprise if Liverpool do decide to pull the trigger on a permanent addition. But if a loan player like Balde is available with the potential to sign in the summer, that could be a good compromise. The Spain international has the potential to be a starter for the Reds, and his availability should certainly be considered.

After Sport’s report, journalist Fabrizio Romano also confirmed that Balde could be on the market this January, after falling out of favour at Camp Nou.

“He is going to be one to watch because Balde was already on the list of potential exits at Barcelona in the summer,” Romano told his YouTube channel on Friday.

“We know the deal didn’t happen with Manchester United or any other club because they were not accepting normal conditions or, for example, a loan in August 2026. At that time Balde was not so keen on leaving Barcelona. He loves Barca, loves the club, loves the badge, loves the fans, loves the city, so he didn’t want to go.

“Now in the last three months, Balde is never on the pitch, so, obviously there are many links and reports and he could now be open to an exit in the January window if this situation continues. Him leaving is not something we can rule out 100 per cent. Not playing is generating this interest.”

Araujo was similarly invested in Barcelona before joining Liverpool, but after seeing just how well he has acclimatised at Anfield, Balde should take note, and with the Reds seemingly keeping tabs on his situation, this could easily be another Barcelona to Liverpool success story.