Barcelona miss out on signing Mexican defender Julian Araujo by 18 seconds

Madrid: FC Barcelona's Director of Football Mateu Alemany has admitted that the club missed out on signing LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo on transfer deadline day, because they were 18 seconds past the midnight deadline in registering the paperwork.

Barca wanted the 21-year-old Mexican to strengthen the right side of their defense after Hector Bellerin's departure to Sporting Lisbon, but according to Alemany they were thwarted by a technical issue.

"We couldn't register due to a system error, it was just 18 seconds, we'll see what FIFA say," Alemany commented on Spanish TV network Movistar, ahead of Wednesday's La Liga game away to Real Betis.

According to reports, Araujo would have cost Barca around six million euros and was expected to sign a contract until June 2026.

Barca won Wednesday's game and lead La Liga with 50 points from 19 games. (UNI)