Andreas Christensen in ‘TWO MONTH contract stand-off with Chelsea’ as talks stall over improved deal with Danish defender free to talk to overseas clubs from January 1
- Andreas Christensen’s contract expires in June 2022 and is expected to renew it
- But talks with the club have stalled with no contact amid a two-month standoff
- The defender will be free to open discussions with oversea clubs on January 1
- The Dane has reportedly been identified as a transfer target by Barcelona
Andreas Christensen has been widely expected to renew his contract at Stamford Bridge but after talks have stalled, Chelsea risk him walking away.
The Blues had opened talks with the defender but after a two-month standoff with no contact, an agreement has failed to be met, according to Goal.
The 25-year-old has become a key member of Thomas Tuchel’s squad and his importance could increase with Antonio Rudiger linked with a move.
Andreas Christensen’s (left) contract talks with Chelsea stalled after two months of no contact
But his current contract is set to expire in June 2022, leaving him free to open discussions with overseas clubs from January 1.
After Tuchel’s arrival in January, Christensen took on a starting role and was rewarded for it with an offer of a new deal, including a slightly higher salary.
The club’s latest offer came in August of a four-year deal with the option to extend for another year.
The Danish defender has taken on a starting role since Thomas Tuchel’s (left) arrival in January
But, while the Dane intends to remain in west London, the current offer would keep him among the lowest earners at the club.
Kai Havertz and Timo Werner would still be pocketing more than Christensen despite them having lesser squad roles than the trusted defender.
Talks have since broken down with no contact between the Blues and Christensen since August.
Earlier this month, Barcelona were reported to be interested in both Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta as free agents when their contracts expire at the end of the season.
Barcelona are lining up a move for Christensen (left) and team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta (right)
With the Catalans embroiled in financial ruin, due to their debt which stands at more than £1billion, the club were forced to resort to the free agent market with the signings of Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia this summer.
The Blaugrana will likely have to repeat their dip in the bargain bin next year and have identified Azpilicueta and Christensen as possible freebies, according to reports.
Rudiger finds himself in a similar situation with his contract expiring in June 2022.
The German has become a world-class defender under Tuchel and is keen to stay at Stamford Bridge but a salary standoff has emerged and Rudiger is aware Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and PSG all value him.
Antonio Rudiger has reportedly attracted interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich
Chelsea are also set to reward Trevoh Chalobah for his breakout season with a new contract.
Chalobah’s current deal is set to expire in 2022 and the Blues are reportedly keen to tie him down for the long-term.
Chelsea made no secret of their desire to bolster their defensive ranks as they eyed a move for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde this summer.
But they were knocked back as a deal failed to materialise and Sevilla are now demanding his full £68million release clause.
The Blues have been reportedly offered Matthijs de Ligt as Juventus are looking to offload his whopping £280,000-a-week salary.
De Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola has even revealed he wants his client to move in the summer of 2022.