Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea contract rebel ‘agrees in principle’ to big LaLiga transfer

Andreas Christensen Chelsea March 2022

Chelsea contract rebel Andreas Christensen has agreed in principle to join Barcelona, according to a report.

Christensen is one of a number of Chelsea defenders out of contract this summer. Antonio Rudiger has also refused to pen a new deal so far, although the sanctions imposed by the UK Government means the club are currently unable to sign players to new deals.

Christensen is free to speak to foreign teams and has been able to do so since January. Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for him. And earlier this month ESPN claimed Barcelona’s talks to land Christensen were ‘advanced’.

Now though a Spanish source has told Football Insider that the LaLiga giants have agreed a deal in principle for Christensen to join on a free transfer.

That deal is expected to go ahead this summer, with Chelsea still working under a strict licence.

It will be a transfer that Thomas Tuchel will not appreciate. He has made it clear that he wants the Denmark international to stay, but the sanctions placed on the club not helped the club’s hopes of keeping the centre-back.

Tuchel said at the start of march: “Well it’s in doubt. We hear the rumours and the situation with Andreas is also since many weeks clear. And we are not happy about it.

Chelsea were in position to sign Tchouameni before sanctions

Chelsea were in position to sign Tchouameni before sanctions

UK Government sanctions placed on Chelsea stopped Chelsea from agreeing deal with Monaco midfielder Tchouameni and he is now talking to Real Madrid

 

“Because we, I, me personally and club representatives, we think that it’s best for him to stay. And we rely heavily on him. He did not sign yet, so you cannot not communicate. This is also a signal to us.

Tuchel wants Christensen to stay

“And the communication from his side is that he did not sign until now. So we have to consider the possibility that he leaves us.”

The German coach wants the defender to stay and become a key player in the next few years.

“I think it’s a crucial point in his Chelsea career at the moment,” added Tuchel.

Christenesen, 25, could be joined in Catalonia by Cesar Azpilicueta. He has “also been offered a contract” by Barcelona despite suggestions seeing a contract extension triggered.

A clause in Azpilicueta’s existing deal means after he reached a certain number of appearances he was eligible for a new contract.

That has been confirmed by Tuchel, but Barcelona remain keen.

“I knew it was going to happen because I knew the number of games. It’s good news for us.

“We needed to make him stay and make his contract extend. So that makes me happy. You know how much I rely on him,” said Tuchel.

READ MORE: Predicted Chelsea team to face Brentford: Reece James return expected to boost in-form Blues