Andreas Christensen rules out summer Barcelona exit

Denmark international Andreas Christensen has insisted that he will not be leaving Barcelona during this summer's transfer window despite the recent speculation.

The 27-year-old moved to the Catalan giants in July 2022 after running down his contract at Chelsea, and he made 32 appearances for Xavi's side during the 2022-23 campaign.

Christensen has again been a regular this term, making 30 appearances in all competitions, but he is not first choice in the middle of the defence, with Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde and Inigo Martinez all ahead of him when Xavi has a full squad available.

The Dane has recently been pressed into action in central midfield, operating in that position in Barcelona's last four La Liga matches, in addition to the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash with Napoli.

There has recently been speculation surrounding Christensen's future, with Barcelona's financial issues potentially leading to them selling the defender this summer.

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However, the centre-back has insisted that he is "incredibly happy" at Camp Nou and will not be on the move during this summer's transfer window.

"I'm not going anywhere. Not at all. I knew what I was getting into, and I'm still incredibly happy and can't see anything else for myself other than being here after the summer," Christensen told TV 2 Sport.

Towards the end of last month, Xavi explained why he is using Christensen in midfield despite the availability of Oriol Romeu, claiming that the Dane is bringing "defensive balance" to the side.

"Well, Romeu has had discomfort, but now he is fine. Andreas is giving us the defensive balance we lacked, to know how to stop counterattacks, to be more consistent," said the manager at the time.

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Christensen came through the youth system at Brondby before moving to Chelsea in 2012, spending two years in their academy system before progressing to the first team.

The defender spent two successful seasons on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach before returning to Chelsea to become a first-team regular, and he made 161 appearances for the Blues ahead of his departure.

Christensen has now featured 62 times for Barcelona, scoring once and providing three assists, and he has a contract with the Catalan outfit until the summer of 2026.

The centre-back is currently with the Barcelona squad preparing for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao, and he is again expected to start as the defensive midfielder against the Basque outfit.