FIFA rules that Julian Araujo will not join Barcelona from LA Galaxy

FIFA will not permit Los Angeles Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo to join Barcelona, according to ESPN.

Documentation for the transfer was filed 18 seconds late after the January transfer window closed on Tuesday. Both clubs made their cases, but FIFA was not convinced.

Although there was optimism the decision would be overruled, the 21-year-old remains an LA Galaxy player.

A FIFA spokesperson told ESPN on Friday that the deal would not be permitted.

The transfer was not completed in line with the applicable regulations.

Barca and the Major League Soccer club had agreed on a fee potentially rising to €4 million for Araujo on Tuesday.

However, a system error made the La Liga club miss the midnight deadline. They had hoped for a review to allow the deal to be concluded.

The Catalans have been keen on the Mexico international for a while. Barca were interested in signing Araujo last summer but a deal never materialised.

They came close last month and will now have to wait till next summer.

He was expected to arrive at Camp Nou on loan for the remainder of the season, with an option to make his transfer permanent.

However, the terms of the deal changed later in the day, which led to a delay in getting the paperwork ready.

The new deal would have allowed Barca to acquire 50% of Araujo’s rights for €2m with the option to buy another 40% for €2m at a later date.

The remaining 10% was set to remain with LA Galaxy. Things could be revisited in the coming months if all the parties involved remain interested.