News Focus
- Christensen is out of contract this summer but close to signing a new two-year deal at the Catalan club
- The Danish centre-back previously rejected a low wage offer but now prioritises staying with his settled family
- The 30-year-old has played just 515 minutes this term due to persistent fitness issues
- Barcelona may still sell the defender if they secure Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni
- Manager Hansi Flick has praised Christensen’s professionalism despite his limited time on the pitch
FC Barcelona are reportedly close to securing a new contract with defender Andreas Christensen. The Danish international is set to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign. However, fresh talks suggest he will extend his stay at the Camp Nou.
The 30-year-old centre-back has endured a difficult season with fitness problems. He has managed just 17 appearances across all competitions. This amounts to only 515 minutes on the pitch. Just four of those outings were starts. He returned to training this week following his latest setback.
Earlier this year, Christensen turned down an initial contract proposal. The salary on offer was too low for his expectations. Despite this, Spanish publication MD reports that both parties are now near an agreement. The proposed deal would run for two seasons.
The defender is keen to remain in Catalonia. His family is settled in the city and he does not wish to move. Other clubs may provide higher wages, but Christensen prefers to continue wearing the Blaugrana shirt.
Barcelona are also planning for other options in defence. They are monitoring Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni. If the club signs a high-profile replacement, they could look to sell Christensen for a modest fee.
Manager Hansi Flick has spoken highly of the Danish player’s attitude and professionalism. However, injuries have limited his contributions on the pitch. Three of his four seasons with the club have been heavily disrupted by fitness concerns. The club must also manage their salary limits carefully to complete any new signings.