Barcelona set to sign Christensen on five-year deal
Barcelona are set to land the signature of Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, several Spanish outlets are reporting.
Sport say the Dane has already passed a preliminary medical and will complete a second examination today, before becoming Xavi’s first high-profile defensive signing as he looks to rebuild his Barcelona side.
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The Danish international will be a free transfer and sign a five-year deal worth up to €6.5m per season. Barcelona fought off interest from fellow European heavyweights Bayern Munich to land the defender, and had to up an initial offer to close the deal.
He’ll join Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza Eric Garcia and Gerard Pique in competing for a starting berth at centre-back, as Xavi looks to ease the latter into the twilight of his career.
The move marks the end of a Chelsea career that’s spanned over a decade - Christensen joined from boyhood club Brondby in 2012, and would go on to make 153 appearances in all competitions to now. He won the Champions League, Europa League and the Club World Cup with his adopted London side, although domestic honours alluded him.
First featuring in the senior Chelsea squad at just 17, Christensen made cameo appearances at Stamford Bridge before his breakthrough loan with Borussia Monchengladbach in 2015, where he was labelled player of the season ahead of then-captain Granit Xhaka. He remained in Germany for two years, and upon his return became a consistent pick under Chelsea’s revolving list of managers - except Maurizio Sarri, who preferred David Luiz.
He has similarly struggled for minutes in the past few months of Thomas Tuchel’s reign, resulting in his decision to not renew his contract - which was set to expire this summer.
Interest in Christensen was high, in particular after his impressive showing at Euro 2020, where his presence at the back helped Denmark to the semi-finals.
It’s thought the lack of a transfer fee was particularly enticing to cash-strapped Barcelona, who are trying to free up reserves to compete for Erling Haaland in the summer.
