Man Utd keen on ex-Chelsea star in cut-price transfer but face Newcastle battle
Manchester United and Newcastle are both 'very interested' in signing Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen.
Christensen, 27, left Premier League heavyweights Chelsea 18 months ago, winning the La Liga title in his first season with Barca. Having graduated from the Blues' youth academy, the Dane earned a reputation for being a ball-playing centre-back across 161 appearances for Chelsea, as well as during a star-making two-year loan spell with German side Borussia Monchengladbach.
His decade-long stay at Stamford Bridge came to an end in the summer of 2022 after manager Thomas Tuchel failed to convince him to sign a new contract, with Barcelona snapping up his services on a free transfer. But Christensen's time in Catalunya could be up after less than two full campaigns.
According to Catalan outlet Sport, United and Newcastle have registered their interest in a January move. It's added that Newcastle have previously explored a deal, as Magpies boss Eddie Howe bids to strengthen his back line.
However, Christensen has made it clear that he wants to stay at Barca, despite manager Xavi favouring three other centre-backs. The 27-year-old has only played four games in a row once this season, with Xavi preferring Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde and summer signing Inigo Martinez, who's left-footed.
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Crucially, Barcelona are looking to sign a new centre-back, with Real Betis youngster Chadi Riad piquing their interest. Barca sold 20-year-old Riad last summer but are reportedly planning on activating his €7million (£6m) buy-back clause.
Christensen's sale would represent a profit for the La Liga champions, who've failed to build on their outstanding defensive record which won them the title last term. United are currently scouting centre-backs, with Raphael Varane on course to leave in June when his contract expires.
Your turn! Should Manchester United sign Andreas Christensen? Join the debate in the comments section.
Andreas Christensen has been tipped to leave Barcelona in January (Gabriel Jimenez Lorenzo/Europa Press via Getty Images)Players linked with replacing Varane, aside from Christensen, include Nice's Jean-Clair Tobio, Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio and Benfica's hot prospect, Antonio Silva. There are similar rumblings at St James' Park, with both Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles' deals up at the end of the current campaign.
It hasn't emerged how much Barcelona would be willing to sell Christensen for, but their perilous financial predicament suggests that a sale would come fairly cheap. The Denmark international, whose nation will face England at Euro 2024, is contracted to Barca for another two-and-a-half years.
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