Manchester United, Newcastle ‘seriously’ interested in signing Barcelona €40 million-rated defender

The dynamics of the Barcelona defence changed massively this season after the introduction of Inigo Martinez and Joao Cancelo into the fold.

Both players became starters eventually, altering how the backline functioned last season with Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen in the mix alongside Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde.

There are a lot more rotation in the backline, with one of Kounde, Inigo or Christensen usually benched, while Araujo starts.

With the luxury of having four arguably world class centre-backs in their ranks, Barcelona also know it is the most expendable area on the pitch for them as they look to raise money through player sales.

In light of that, SPORT have reported that Barcelona are considering putting Christensen on the transfer market, with interest looking from the Premier League.

Manchester, Newcastle in race

Arriving from Chelsea on a free transfer himself, Christensen is a well-known name in the Premier League, having kept 29 clean sheets in 93 appearances.

Manchester United and Newcastle United are among candidates that will pursue him in the summer, ready to bring him back to the England.

The Magpies, in fact, tried signing him earlier in the summer of 2023, but the move did not transpire.

It will not be easy to sign him this summer, either, as Christensen is not ready to leave the club this early in his tenure. He does want more prominence in the team, though, and is ready to fight for his place.

The Chadi Riad case

Over the last few months, Inigo Martinez became Barcelona’s most in-form centre-back, at least before his injury hit. The Spaniard’s rise made it difficult for Christensen to start, even though the Dane had been putting up pretty much faultless performances.

Barcelona are now also looking to sign their very own Chadi Riad from Real Betis in a move that will cost them no more than €7 million, courtesy of the buy-back clause in his contract.

Eventually, the decision will boil down to Christensen. He definitely has the support of the fanbase on his side, and could fight to keep his place in the team, or leave for the Premier Legaue, where he will almost definitely get a starting spot.