Ronald Araujo could join Liverpool permanently at the end of this season, and reliable journalist Lewis Steele has made a key claim regarding the situation.

The 27-year-old has been a revelation for the Reds since joining on loan from Barcelona in the summer transfer window, excelling at right-back despite being a centre-back by trade.

Araujo scored an important equaliser in the 4-3 win at home to Villarreal on Tuesday night, and Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola hailed his impact last month:

“He has done very well. Very well. The other day against Ipswich Town and now today even better. He is defending his side of the pitch very well, and sometimes maybe we underestimate his attacking. Today he provided a great assist. I’m very happy with him. He has come here wanting to show he is at this level, so I hope we can keep him there because he’s in a lovely place.”

Liverpool have the option of signing Araujo on a permanent basis next summer, needing to pay £47.1m to acquire his services, but it remains to be seen if they will take up the offer.

According to The Daily Mail‘s Steele, it is a no-brainer for the Reds to extend the Uruguayan’s stay at Anfield beyond the summer of 2027, saying:

“Based on his first two months at the club, they would be fools not to trigger that option.

“Araujo is thoroughly enjoying his time at Liverpool and starting to fall in love with football again after a period of mental health issues and off-the-field problems at Barcelona.”

Should Liverpool sign Ronald Araujo permanently?

There is certainly plenty to like about Liverpool keeping Araujo on beyond the end of this season, with former Watford striker Troy Deeney admitting he was wrong about him earlier this week:

“I have to give him credit, and I also have to pull myself up because I like to consider myself a fair individual. At the start of the season, when they signed him, I thought it was a desperate signing.

“I’d seen him at Barcelona and again, he’s very aggressive, very front-footed. I didn’t know whether his style of play would adjust to what Liverpool are trying to do, but since he’s been in at right-back and he has been amazing. Him and [Jeremy] Jacquet, they’ve been the best two players, by far.

“He’s so big, strong, powerful, understanding of the game, he reads it really well. He obviously offers them playing at right-back but also can play at centre-half when needed. I’ve been really, really impressed.”

The positives definitely outweigh the negatives regarding Liverpool signing Araujo, but they should bide their time before making a decision, judging how he performs between now and the end of the campaign.

He is in his prime years, so there is no risk of the Reds signing a player who is past his best, and he possesses quality, leadership and experience, not to mention becoming a cult hero among Liverpool fans.

The deal for Araujo wouldn’t be cheap, both in terms of transfer fee and wages, but the Reds should snap him up on a permanent deal, as things stand.