Barcelona hit by season-ending injury as club already look to replacement

December 22, 2025 Oliver Obel

Barcelona may need to adjust their January transfer plans after defender Andreas Christensen suffered a serious knee injury in training.

The club confirmed Christensen has a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, an issue expected to keep him out for an extended period. No return date has been set, but the injury could sideline him for most of the remainder of the season.

Christensen has been a regular in the Barcelona back line under Hansi Flick. His absence leaves the squad short at centre-back at a time when the club holds a narrow lead in La Liga and faces a congested fixture list.

Barcelona now have a numbers problem.

Transfer options considered

According to Team Talk, Barcelona have begun reviewing possible defensive cover, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi among the names under consideration.

Guehi has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time and came close to a move to Anfield previously before talks broke down late in the process. The England international has since confirmed he will not sign a new contract at Palace, with his current deal due to expire in the summer.

That decision has increased interest across Europe, particularly from clubs weighing whether to move now or wait for a free transfer.

Cost and timing

Despite ongoing financial limits, Team Talk reports Barcelona could look at a January bid of around £17 million. Liverpool’s earlier approach was believed to be closer to £35 million, reflecting Palace’s stronger negotiating position at the time.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has also spoken publicly about Guehi, describing him as a “good player” in an interview with Spanish radio station SER Catalunya.

Palace response

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has dismissed the idea of a January departure, saying there has been no indication of a formal offer.

“I think Marc will stay until the end of the season,” Glasner said. “That’s my understanding now. Nobody told me something different. I know there’s no offer right now, so why expect something different?”

Palace remain confident Guehi will see out the campaign, though interest is expected to build ahead of the summer. The defender is also projected to be part of England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, a factor likely to add further attention to his situation.

For Barcelona, Christensen’s injury has reduced margin for error and may yet force a decision sooner than planned.

Sources: Team Talk, SER Catalunya