Barcelona will 'prioritise a move for Julian Araujo on deadline day' with Catalan giants 'pursuing a loan deal with an option to buy to replace Hector Bellerin - who could be on his way to Sporting Lisbon'

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Barcelona are prioritising a move for LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo to replace outbound right-back Hector Bellerin on the final day of the January transfer window. 

Barca are hoping to bring the 21-year-old Mexican to the club on loan with an option to buy come the end of the season to bolster Xavi's defensive options, according to reports. 

Former Arsenal defender Bellerin has been linked with a move to Sporting Lisbon, with Pedro Porro's proposed move to Tottenham one of the stories of deadline day so far. 

Barcelona are reportedly prioritising a move for Julian Araujo to replace Hector Bellerin

The former Arsenal defender has been linked with Sporting Lisbon to replace Pedro Porro

Reports from Spain claim that the Blaugrana will focus on bringing the LA Galaxy star to the Nou Camp before the January transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday, January 31. 

According to ESPN, the defender would move straight into the club's B team, but there is a feeling that he would not require much time to adapt to feature for the senior side. 

Born in California, the defender has spent his entire career at LA Galaxy, making 98 appearances in the MLS, scoring once and providing 14 assists. 

Araujo (centre) switched allegiances from USA to play for Mexico, and has won three caps

Having represented USA at youth and senior level, he switched his allegiances to Mexico, although he was not included in the World Cup squad. 

Barca's financial constraints will prevent them from spending lavishly on a defender - which Xavi feels he needs - and so the loan-to-buy deal for Araujo will reportedly become a priority for the Catalan giants. 

The Blaugrana were notably unable to register star midfielder Gavi's new contract at the club, and a Champions League exit is thought to have put the brakes on any progress on their attempts to crawl out of financial troubles. 

Bellerin struggled for minutes under Xavi - who often played left-back Alejandro Balde ahead of him

However, with big-earners Memphis Depay and Gerard Pique now off the books at the Nou Camp, LaLiga president Javier Tebas revealed that the clop do have some room to manouevre in the transfer market. 

Bellerin's free transfer to Barca from Arsenal in 2022 has not gone to plan, and he has struggled for game time - with left-back Alejandro Balde often played ahead of him in the side. 

Barcelona will put off a move for Benjamin Pavard until January

The 27-year-old came through the ranks at La Masia, but is now set to move on from the club for the second time in his career, with Sporting keen to line up a replacement for Porro. 

The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Tottenham throughout January, and although the move had initially appeared off, arrived at Luton airport at 2.30am on Tuesday morning to complete his medical.   

Barca were thought to be interested in Bayern Munich's French defender Benjamin Pavard, although that move is now believed to have become a summer move for the club. 

Pavard's contract at the Allianz Arena is up in 2024, and the club feel that they will be able to land the versatile defender for a cut-price fee as he enters the final 12 months of his deal. 

The signing of Joao Cancelo on loan with a £61million buy option could work in Barcelona's favour in their pursuit of the Frenchman, who will be competing with Cancelo for a regular spot at right-back.