FC Barcelona is betting big on its project. The team’s strong performance this season and the three titles it has won have given the club confidence, and it has already signed Joan García and is now setting its sights on the winger. An agreement has been reached with the sought-after Nico Williams, pending negotiations with Athletic on the price and payment terms. In both cases, space must be made in the squad in order to register them, and for that it is necessary to finalize departures. One of the players being considered is Andreas Christensen, who has a high salary.
A difficult season for Christensen
Andreas Christensen has not had an easy season. Although Hansi Flick gave him some playing time in the final stretch of the competition and sees things he likes in him, the player had a residual role due to the multiple injuries he has suffered throughout the season. The player had not played for eight months when he returned to action in the Champions League match against Inter Milan. Competition in the center of defense is fierce, with Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez forming the preferred pairing. Also in the mix are Araújo, who could leave, and Eric García, who is Hansi Flick’s wild card.
This is how his departure is shaping up
Despite his lack of playing time, the center back has a market, and Saudi Arabia in particular could make him a very attractive offer financially. However, the player has always been reluctant to move to the Saudi Pro League, which already wanted him in January, as the level of football there is well below that of Europe. In fact, Sport reports that Christensen has rejected offers from Saudi Arabia and has opened the door to Milan if Flick does not convince him. He wants to play in Spain or Italy and prefers family stability to money.
According to the aforementioned source, AC Milan sent an offer to Christensen during the winter transfer window, but it was rejected. They could return in the summer, especially with the imminent end of his contract with Barça. The Catalan club would not mind selling the player as he is one of the highest-paid players on the squad and they need to free up space in their payroll.
They have to let players go
Tebas said a few days ago, “Does Barça have the money to sign Nico and register him? I don’t know. But in the end, you hear so many names: Williams, the other one, the one on the motorbike… First of all, let’s see if what they have to register is true, because I don’t know.” President Laporta was quite optimistic as the club is about to close several deals that would bring it closer to the 1:1 rule, which would make everything easier.
In principle, Barça is confident that the planned departures will be enough to register Joan García and Nico Williams. In other words, Ansu Fati, Pau Víctor, Pablo Torre, Iñaki Peña, Christensen, Oriol Romeu, and/or Ter Stegen will have to leave. If all these deals are completed, there would be enough room for the two new signings.
In the case of Christensen and Ter Stegen, much will depend on the offers that come in and the willingness of both players, who seem determined to fulfill their contracts with the Catalan club. In defense, there is another option to free up space, namely the sale of Ronald Araújo, whose release clause will drop to $65 million in the coming days.