Barça defender targeted by Saudi Club
A contract running out of time
Barcelona have spent much of the past year securing long-term deals for their core players, but Christensen’s situation has remained strangely untouched.
The 29-year-old, who joined the club on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2022, is now approaching the last stretch of the four-year agreement he signed when he arrived in Catalonia.
For most of his time at Barça, Christensen has been a calming presence in a back line that has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form. Even so, the club has not yet signaled whether it intends to keep him beyond the summer.
That silence has raised eyebrows among supporters, especially given the team’s limited defensive depth this season.
Read also: Flood alert puts F1 Las Vegas GP preparations at risk days before event
The delay comes at a time when Barcelona’s sporting department is trying to balance long-term planning with the club’s ongoing financial restrictions.
Renewals often take longer than expected, and players with recurring physical issues, Christensen has dealt with several minor knocks over the past year, can find themselves pushed down the priority list.
Outside interest begins to build
According to reporting from SPORT, citing 365Scores, Christensen has now drawn renewed attention from Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr, one of the Saudi Pro League’s most ambitious clubs, are said to have approached the defender’s camp as they prepare their squad plans for next season.
Read also: Barcelona step up interest in Vasco’s rising star Rayan
Their interest is not new. The club reportedly sounded out Barcelona last summer and floated a transfer fee of around €15 million, but Christensen closed the door on a move at the time, confident he would see out his contract in Spain.
This latest round of interest comes as Al Nassr continue their push to build a squad with European experience. The team already features Cristiano Ronaldo and is exploring additional defensive reinforcements.
One motivation, according to SPORT’s reporting, is the possibility of reuniting Christensen with his former Barça teammate Íñigo Martínez, who joined the Saudi side earlier.
Player’s intentions remain unchanged, for now
Christensen has consistently said he wants to stay in Barcelona and has told local media on several occasions that honoring his four-year contract was always his plan. People close to the defender say he still prefers to remain in La Liga, where his family has settled well.
Read also: Gabriel Jesus speaks out on Arsenal exit rumours
However, under FIFA rules, he will be free to negotiate directly with other clubs once January arrives.
If no offer from Barcelona materializes before then, his representatives are expected to begin exploring the market while still giving Barcelona the first chance to open talks.
Why Barcelona’s decision matters
For Barcelona, losing Christensen on a free transfer would be a blow.
The team’s defensive options have been stretched thin this season, and his ability to play both centrally and as a holding midfielder gives the coaching staff tactical flexibility.
Read also: Messi reflects on past, promises future in Barcelona
Financially, though, the situation is complicated. A renewal would require salary-cap room that the club has struggled to create, and Barça may hesitate to commit long-term money to a player who has missed stretches of recent seasons through injuries.
That tension, sporting need versus financial reality, has left the club in a holding pattern that now risks pushing Christensen toward a different direction.
If Barcelona move quickly and present a clear plan for his role, Christensen is expected to prioritize staying. If not, discussions with foreign clubs, including Al Nassr, could accelerate early in the new year.
Either way, the coming weeks will determine whether the Dane extends his stay at Camp Nou or enters a new phase of his career abroad.
Read also: Liverpool Prepare €100m Swoop for Barcelonas Raphinha
