Barcelona make shock January swoop for Chelsea defender

Barcelona have made an enquiry to Chelsea to loan Andreas Christensen from them in January for the remainder of the season, claims the London Evening Standard.

Christensen has dropped down the pecking order at Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri this season and has already admitted he is frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities.

Sarri has already batted away suggestions the talented 22-year-old centre-back will leave the club next month but now Chelsea face a serious fight to keep him for the rest of the campaign.

Barcelona are on the market for a new centre-back after injuries to Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen have left them with just two fit senior options.

The Spanish champions have now approached Chelsea about the prospect of taking Christensen on loan for the second half of the season with a view to making the switch permanent.

It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will be successful in their pursuit of the Denmark international but it seems unlikely.

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to let Gary Cahill leave the club next month, as his current deal is due to expire at the end of the season and will not be renewed.

The west London outfit have Ethan Ampadu coming through the ranks to help at the back but they cannot realistically afford to lose Cahill and Christensen in the same month without buying a replacement.

Christensen has only made one Premier League appearance this season and it came against Wolves in only one of two league defeats the club have suffered.

The Dane started all six of Chelsea’s Europa League group games and only team-mate Cesc Fabregas (552) has attempted more passes in the competition than Christensen (479).