Andreas Christensen
Andreas Christensen
Former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen could be set to leave Barcelona this summer and a host of English clubs, including Aston Villa, have been linked with a potential move which would see the Danish international return to England after three years in Catalonia.
Christensen, 29, moved to Barca in 2022 after ten years at Stamford Bridge, where he completed his academy career and broke into the Blues' first-team under Jose Mourinho, during the Portuguese's second spell in charge of the club, before he was loaned out to Borussia Monchengladbach for two years - a career-defining spell.
Upon his return to London, Christensen broke into the side on a more regular basis and over the next five years he racked up over 160 appearances, helping the Blues to lift the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel in 2021 in the process. Upon the expiry of his contract a year later, though, he decided to leave.
Christensen signed for Barca on a free, and the Blaugrana inserted a €500m release clause into his contract. It's fair to say that that isn't a fee the La Liga champions are likely to be after this summer, and with only a year left on the contract he signed when moving to the Camp Nou, the club are likely to listen to reduced offers in the region of €20m for the Dane this summer.
Christensen only played six games last year because of injury, only make his first appearance in April before ending the campaign being regularly involved. Brentford, who famously have a healthy Danish contingent, Tottenham and Newcastle are the other sides along with Villa who have been credited with an interest in Christensen.
Barca are after cash after completing a move for goalkeeper Joan Garcia - also of interest to Villa - from Espanyol and with a move for Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao also said to be in the pipeline. Reports in Spain suggest Barca will struggle to bank the money they're demanding for Christensen, though, because of his fitness record and they'll have to consider lower offers.
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