Thomas Tuchel has reportedly informed Manchester United that if he is chosen to replace Erik ten Hag, he would want the club to prioritize signing Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Manchester United is currently experiencing one of its worst starts to a Premier League season, sitting in 14th place, which has put Ten Hag’s job under serious threat. Tuchel, who became available after parting ways with Bayern Munich earlier this year, has emerged as a top contender for the managerial role at Old Trafford.
According to Fichajes, Tuchel has already outlined his potential transfer targets to United’s leadership, with Araujo topping the list. A January offer for the Uruguayan defender could be on the horizon, especially since United has long been interested in him. Araujo, who is expected to recover from a hamstring injury by late November, would be available for transfer talks at that time.
During Tuchel’s tenure at Bayern Munich, the German coach also showed interest in bringing Araujo to Germany, but Barcelona blocked any moves. While Araujo is contracted until 2026, ongoing difficulties in extending his deal have fueled speculation about his future.
With an estimated value of £58.6 million, Araujo is viewed as an ideal addition to strengthen United’s backline, offering speed and physicality to address the club’s defensive problems. However, whether Tuchel will take over depends on the fate of Ten Hag, whose position hinges on the result of the upcoming match against Brentford after the international break.
Should Ten Hag fail to secure a positive outcome, the door could open for Tuchel to step in and make Araujo a key figure in his defensive revamp at United.
