Barcelona handed massive transfer blow by FIFA

The Catalans made an unsuccessful move to add a new right-back to their ranks on the transfer window’s deadline day.

Julian Araujo’s move to Barcelona has fallen through due to the late submission of the documents, FIFA has confirmed.

Following Hector Bellerin’s move to Sporting Lisbon, Barca hoped to add a new right-back to their ranks on the transfer window’s deadline day.

The Spanish giants reached an agreement to sign Araujo from LA Galaxy. But the late submission of the documents has caused the club to miss the transfer deadline.

On Friday, FIFA officially confirmed the move has fallen through.

“FIFA can confirm that the transfer of the player Julian Araujo from LA Galaxy to FC Barcelona was not completed in line with the applicable regulations,” FIFA said in a statement to ESPN.

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Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany has admitted a system error delayed the document submission to 18 seconds after the deadline.

Araujo will, therefore, stay at LA Galaxy at least until the next summer. He’ll be available for the MLS side when the new season starts on February 25.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have to continue with low squad depth in their backline.

Both Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde can play on the right-hand side of Barca’s defence. But both of them are centre-backs by trade.

The Catalans have emerged as suitors for Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard. Let’s see if a possible move for the Frenchman would cool off Barca’s interest in signing Araujo.