Europe has been the aim for years, but Julian Araujo is focused right now on winning an MLS Cup with #LAGalaxy.

Julian Araujo is headed to Europe.

There’s no debate about that, never has been. The only question is how soon, and speculation — accelerated by FC Barcelona’s pronounced interest — has the 21-year-old LA Galaxy defender on the verge.

Araujo, the Galaxy’s first-choice right back for at least the past two and a half seasons, is an extraordinary talent, perhaps Major League Soccer’s finest attacking fullback, the No. 5 selection for the second straight year on the league’s annual 22 Under 22 list.

Europe has been his aim since he was a teen phenom in Lompoc, some 150 miles northwest of LA’s headquarters, but if it seems that Saturday afternoon’s MLS playoff opener against Nashville SC could — should things not go the home side’s way — be his final game in a Galaxy uniform, peer a little closer.

Anything is possible, but not everything is probable.

“I want to finish up the season here, and whatever happens in the next year or whatever, whatever it is, I know the timing’s going to be right,” Araujo, whose nine assists and vastly improving defensive play contributed mightily to LA’s second postseason berth since Bruce Arena departed six years ago, told Soccer America. “I’m just trusting God. I have faith, and I know that it’ll happen and when the time is right.

“I’m a true believer that what’s for me is for me, and I believe that when it happens, it’s going to be the right time. I’m excited for when it comes.”

When might that be? No telling. Araujo is under contract with LA through 2025, and he’s certainly got more to fine-tune within his game. The Galaxy, especially since Greg Vanney and his staff took charge last year, have worked diligently in shoring up what was missing from his game and making him more consistent in the areas in which he excelled. There’s more work to be done, and he likely needs another year, perhaps two, before it’s time to cross the Atlantic.

“That’s not for me [to say],” said assistant coach Dan Calichman, a former Galaxy center back who has worked extensively with Araujo on his defensive know-how. “That’s for probably the club and someone in Europe to decide, and maybe Jules as well. But yeah, he’s still developing, right? We can look back at this season, and I think you can see his progression. And Europe is going to want him when they know they’ve got an unbelievable two-way player, that they have a guy that can get up and down the field and whips balls in and makes accurate crosses. But on the same end can defend.

“Those outside backs in Europe are dealing with some of the greatest players, right? The wingers are unbelievable. You’ve got to be able to defend, you’ve got to be able to do that job as well. When he’s that, I’m sure they’re going to come calling. There’ll be lots of calls.”

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