Barcelona approach Chelsea over Andreas Christensen transfer

Barcelona have approached Chelsea about the possibility of signing Andreas Christensen on loan next month.

Standard Sport understands the club have asked the Blues about taking the defender for the rest of the season in view of buying him next summer.

Christensen, who is expected to start against Bournemouth in tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge, has grown unsettled under new coach Maurizio Sarri.

The 22-year-old was a regular under Antonio Conte last season, but has made just one appearance in the Premier League this term. Instead, he has been restricted to the Europa League and Carabao Cup.

Barcelona want to strengthen at the back because Samuel Umtiti has suffered a knee ligament injury.

Due to his absence, former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has been getting more game time, but he has struggled for form and fitness.

It is believed Barcelona are not prepared to make a bid for Christensen next month because they are concerned about adhering to Financial Fair Play rules in 2018-19. The defender is one of a number of options for the club.

Despite his limited action, Christensen is regarded as one of the finest young centre-halves in the world.

He agreed a new contract with Chelsea at the beginning of the year that runs until 2022 and is valued in excess of £40million.

Chelsea are determined to ignore all bids for Christensen and have rejected Barcelona’s proposition. Sarri is also keen for the player to remain even though he prefers the pairing of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger.

Should the Blues beat Bournemouth tonight, they will start the new year fighting for silverware on four fronts.

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Sarri’s men are within eight points of leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, face Malmo in the last 32 of the Europa League and start their defence of the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest.

Sarri is reluctant to let any of his key performers go. Gary Cahill has asked to leave and is expected to get his wish, while Danny Drinkwater and Victor Moses will be sold.

But Christensen is a talented individual who Sarri plans to use in the second half of the season.

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Meanwhile, Monaco are keen to take Michy Batshuayi on loan should Valencia cut their season-long agreement short.

The Chelsea forward was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund last season before moving to Spain.”

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