Barcelona have stepped up their efforts to sign Andreas Christensen, with the Dane’s contract at Chelsea set to expire in the summer.
The central defender looked set to stay at Stamford Bridge, as back in November it was reported that negotiations on extending his time in west London were going well, with Christensen himself stating a new deal would be agreed.
"Hopefully soon," the defender said at the time. "I feel valued, I am happy, but I do not get into the contract situation. I do not know why everyone thinks it is a bad situation, because I am still happy, and I enjoy playing football."
But these negotiations have stalled, and as a result Barcelona have swooped in to try and sign the 25-year-old on a free transfer come the summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Christensen recently switched agents and his new representatives have close ties to the Camp Nou, something that Barcelona feel will give them the advantage over the Blues. The Catalan club are prepared to offer the Denmark international a four-year deal, plus the option to extend by a year.
Christensen is seen as a perfect signing for the La Liga side, who are struggling with financial difficulties and have been mostly focused on signing free agents over the past year such as Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia.
If he were to leave, it would be a big blow for Chelsea, with Thomas Tuchel’s side also on the verge of losing fellow defenders Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta on a free at the end of the season - though Thiago Silva has recently extended his stay at Stamford Bridge by a year.
Rudiger is wanted by a whole host of major European sides including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, while club captain Azpilicueta has been linked with a January exit to Atletico Madrid amid Kieran Trippier's transfer to Newcastle United.
