Flick Fights to Keep Defender as Barcelona Board Considers Exit
The Barcelona management is eager to move Andreas Christensen out of the club this summer, but head coach Hansi Flick reportedly desires to keep the Danish center-back for the 2025-26 season.
Since joining Barcelona in 2022, Christensen has appeared in 80 matches, initially serving as a crucial element in Xavi Hernandez's defensive setup. During Xavi's tenure, he featured in 53 La Liga matches, but his playing time diminished considerably in Flick's first season due to health issues.
Last season, Christensen was limited to just six appearances across all competitions because of a serious Achilles problem followed by a muscle injury. While he was sidelined, young talent Pau Cubarsí formed a strong partnership with Iñigo Martínez, while Ronald Araujo was used more sparingly as a rotation option.
Despite his limited contribution last season, Mundo Deportivo indicates that Flick is challenging the board's decision in an effort to retain Christensen. The German coach views the 29-year-old as a valuable squad player, but club executives want to sell him this summer since his contract will expire after the 2025-26 campaign.
Barcelona's ongoing financial difficulties mean they're reluctant to let Christensen leave for free next summer—even though they acquired him without a transfer fee three years ago. The club appears keen to remove his €13 million (£11.1 million, $15.1 million) salary including bonuses from their books, which makes him Barcelona's joint-tenth highest-paid player (according to Capology).
The Danish defender is comfortable living in Catalonia and currently shows no interest in reported offers from Saudi Arabia. Should he depart Barcelona, the 29-year-old prefers to stay in Europe, with a Premier League return previously mentioned as a possibility. However, following his injury-plagued season, interest from English clubs has decreased.
Contract termination remains a possibility, though Christensen would likely only consider this option if he believes he won't receive first-team opportunities next season. Flick's desire to keep him suggests the defender still has a role in the team's plans.