Newcastle United could pay the price for missing out on Andreas Christensen during the summer of 2022. And we mean that literally.
Because, with Sport claiming that Newcastle are once again in hot pursuit of a former Chelsea defender now earning a living at Barcelona, a man who may have arrived at St James’ Park for absolutely nothing around 10 months ago would now take a £50 million chomp out of Eddie Howe’s transfer budget.
If you were to rank all of Barcelona’s summer signings by way of prestige and reputation, Christensen would fall behind Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Jules Kounde and arguably Marcos Alonso.
Based on performance, however, the Denmark international sits somewhere near the very top.
“I remember when people said that Real Madrid signed Chelsea’s starting centre-back (Antonio Rudiger), and we signed the substitute,” smiles a self-satisfied Xavi; Christensen forming part of Europe’s most watertight backline.
“The signing of Christensen has been less highlighted. But he has been extraordinary.”
Newcastle like Barcelona’s former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen
With Barcelona under pressure to raise almost £200 million before they can add to Xavi’s squad this summer, per the Daily Mail, the sale of Christensen cannot be entirely ruled out. Even if the 26-year-old hopes to stay, and Xavi hopes to keep him.
Newcastle, Sport say, are following the 2021 Champions League winner ‘very closely’. A £50 million bid may be enough to twist Barca’s arm. Though whether the Magpies are willing to invest such a sum on a player they wanted on a free transfer as recently as last year remains to be seen.
Newcastle, FC Inter Live add, offered Christensen a four-year deal when his Chelsea contract came to an end. Eddie Howe and co will likely have to put more than a hefty pay-packet on the table if they are to turn Christensen’s head this time around, however. Qualification for the Champions League – Newcastle are fifth but have two games in hand on a mangerless Tottenham – would do their hopes no harm at all.
At least, if Christensen does depart, Xavi would still have two of the ‘best defenders in the world’ at his disposal.
“For me, (Ronald) Araujo is one of the best defenders in the world. And so is Jules Kounde,” Xavi argues; Barcelona going 12 points clear with a dramatic Clasico victory over Real Madrid.
“We defended very well.”
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