Ronald Araujo is poised to complete a loan move from Barcelona to Liverpool on Monday, with the agreement also containing an option for the Merseyside club to make the transfer permanent.

The 27-year-old is arriving at Anfield to offer badly needed depth at both centre-back and right-back, with a number of important defenders expected to miss the beginning of the season.

Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are all working their way back from injuries, while Ibrahima Konate left earlier this summer after joining Real Madrid on a free transfer. Jeremy Jacquet, meanwhile, is still waiting to feature in pre-season following a serious shoulder injury and then a further minor setback.

Araujo has already completed his medical before finalising the switch to Liverpool, and Sky Sports News has reported that the move is “expected” to be officially confirmed on Monday afternoon.

According to the same report, the deal includes an option to sign the Uruguay international permanently for about £47.14 million (€55m).

Araujo moved to Barcelona from Boston River in 2018 and has gone on to make 213 senior appearances across all competitions, winning three La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies.

Liverpool’s need for defensive additions has been clear during pre-season. The Reds surrendered a two-goal advantage to suffer a 3-2 defeat against AS Monaco in Andoni Iraola’s first match in charge at Anfield on Sunday, which means the side has now let in nine goals across four pre-season fixtures.

The Merseyside club will next take on Como in their last friendly before the start of the new Premier League campaign, with their first league match set to come against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.