Barcelona leave out Araujo, Casado and Bardghji before pre-season tournament

Barcelona have travelled to Udine without Ronald Araujo, Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji for the inaugural Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup, with the trio’s omissions providing a strong indication that they may not form part of Hansi Flick’s plans for the 2026-27 season.

The Catalan club are in the Italian city for a three-team tournament being staged at the Bluenergy Stadium tonight. They will face Italian side Udinese and English club Nottingham Forest as part of their preparations for the new campaign.

Araujo’s absence comes as he moves closer to a loan transfer to Liverpool following rapid negotiations, according to Catalan newspaper Sport. The Uruguay defender was not included in the squad for Barcelona’s friendly against Birmingham City either, despite continuing his rehabilitation programme after missing the World Cup because of injury.

He had been expected to feature in Udine, but the prospect of a move to Anfield has instead prevented him from travelling. An official announcement of the deal is expected within hours.

Araujo arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on the morning of the team’s departure to collect his belongings and say goodbye to his Barcelona team-mates.

However, the 27-year-old was not the only player left behind by Flick. Casado and Bardghji were also omitted from the travelling party by the German manager.

Sport reported that the decision came as a surprise to both players. While they already understood that they were unlikely to remain at Barcelona, neither expected to be excluded from the squad immediately before the team left for the airport. The report added that the decision was not received in the same way by everyone involved.

The omissions appear to carry a clear message for Casado and Bardghji: they are not currently considered part of Flick’s plans and should look for new clubs during the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Barcelona sporting director Deco held talks on Friday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with Christian Emil, Bardghji’s representative. The meeting is understood to have focused on completing the Swedish player’s departure from the club.

Bardghji’s agent was seen inside Barcelona’s training complex before leaving. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano subsequently reported that Bardghji would not continue with the Catalan club.

Jofre Torrents was another notable absentee from the journey to Udine. The defender is close to joining Ajax in a permanent transfer and is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Dutch club.

Barcelona’s participation in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup forms part of their wider build-up to the 2026-27 season. The tournament is being held for the first time and gives Flick’s side two further opportunities to assess his squad before the competitive campaign begins.

The club’s travelling squad, and particularly the players left in Spain, has therefore offered an early indication of the manager’s selection priorities. With Araujo seemingly nearing a move to Liverpool, Bardghji set to leave and Torrents approaching a switch to Ajax, Casado’s future also appears uncertain after his unexpected exclusion.