LA Galaxy’s talented defender Julian Araujo had everything lined up to make a move to La Liga powerhouse Barcelona during the January transfer window. However, a computer error halted the transfer and kept Araujo in MLS for at least six more months.
Galaxy and Barca finalized the agreement that would send Araujo to Spain on January 31st. The right-back would first join the Catalan’s reserve side but train with the first team. But on February 1st, the clubs were notified by FIFA that the transfer was nixed as the paperwork wasn’t submitted in time.
According to Barcelona’s sporting director Mateu Alemany, paperwork was sent 18 seconds after the end of the transfer deadline.
“We did not arrive on time because of a computer error,” Alemany shared. “It seems that the systems fell, but for only 18 seconds.”
Barcelona was keen on Araujo as a replacement for Hector Bellerin, who departed for Sporting Lisbon on the final day of the transfer window. It is possible that the Catalan club will circle back to the Mexican international when the transfer window opens up again in the summer.
Araujo joined the Galaxy’s soccer academy in 2018 as a 16-year-old. He quickly advanced through the club’s ranks and made his professional debut in 2019. Since then, he has played 100 games for the LA team, scoring one goal and dishing 20 assists.
