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Barcelona eye Andreas Christensen as centre-back cover

Sudarshan Venkatesan
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Christensen to Barcelona

Barcelona are looking to sign Danish Center-back Andreas Christensen on loan in the January transfer window.

Barcelona, who are looking for a centre-back in the transfer market, are eyeing to strike a loan-deal until end of the season for the Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen. The Blues defender has made only seven appearances with six coming in the Europa League after being told by Maurizio Sarri that he does not have a future at Stamford Bridge.

He started 24 League games under Antonio Conte the last term and established himself as the center-back partner alongside David Luiz. Besides, he did feature in the Champions League and domestic cup competition and made a name for himself at London.


Although nothing is official yet, Barcelona have made a formal contact for the Danish International, according to the reliable Spanish Outlet Sport. Barcelona have three center-backs at stake right now, but all are left-footed and would be inconvenient to play as left center-back which might force Ernesto Valverde to rethink and assess his options in the January transfer window.

Samuel Umtiti is due to finish his rehabilitation at Aspetar Clinic in Doha on December 23 with the hope that his left-football does not need to visit the operating table. The French defender is said to be assessed by Barcelona doctor later this month.

If the results are favorable, the date would be set for his comeback to the first team. Else, he would have to operate his knee which would mean that he would be out for rest of the season.

Under such circumstances, it’s understandable that Barcelona’s technical team would have to find a quality player in the January transfer window. If the Spanish manager does not want to sign a center-back, he would have to turn to the B team center-back Chumi.

Gerard Pique, Thomas Vermaelen, and Clement Lenglet are the three centre-backs available at the disposal. Before the January transfer window opens, the Spanish club would know the extent of the injury which would enhance them to act accordingly.

Ernesto Valverde will be looking to bolster his backline after leaking 19 goals early on in the season. There is no gamble involved as the club would pay nothing to bring him for short-term. The Barcelona manager knows that the team would require a center-back to contest for the League title and the Champions League.

The Catalans are first in the La Liga table and will be looking to extend the lead to three points when they play Levante at Ciutat De Valencia on Sunday. Should the hosts get the better of Barcelona, the gap would only be 6 points between these two clubs.

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