Transfer News: Tottenham Hotspur join race to sign Chelsea ace Andreas Christensen amidst contract hold-up
According to transfer news on the Daily Star, Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to sign Chelsea ace Andreas Christensen amidst a contract stalemate.
The 25-year-old is one of four defenders the Blues stand to lose next summer due to a contract situation. Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Thiago Silva are in negotiations over a new deal, but an agreement is yet to be met.
However, several suitors are lining up to sign Christensen. Tottenham are the latest club to join the race, as Antonio Conte looks to bring his former disciple to the N17. The Italian is looking to rebuild the North London club, and the centre-back could be a fine addition.
The Cobham graduate has attracted interest from both Manchester clubs, while AC Milan and Barcelona are also in the running. However, Thomas Tuchel has made it clear to the hierarchy that he wants to retain the defender.
The one to retain
Silva and Azpilicueta are in their twilight years, and their ageing bodies may not permit them to be at their peak for long. Antonio Rudiger is currently 28, and handing him a massive contract would mean paying high wages to the German into his 30s.
Thus, deciding to not retain this trio is still somewhat understandable. However, it is pivotal to keep Christensen at the club. The Danish defender has been at the club since 2012 when he joined the youth set-up as a 14-year-old.
After a couple of loan moves at Borussia Monchengladbach, he is finally living up to his potential in England. Still only 25, he has several years ahead of him and could become a leader at the back soon, especially if the aforementioned trio depart next summer.
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Moreover, it would be diabolical to allow a scenario where Spurs could sign the defender. The North London club are our bitter rivals, and there is no way they should benefit from our mistakes. Thus, Chelsea need to get the centre-back to put pen to paper on a new deal while they still can.
Losing Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori in the summer is already seeming like an error as they are starting centre-backs for Crystal Palace and AC Milan respectively. They were still young and could have been our safety net if our veteran defenders left in the summer. Losing Christensen would be an added salt on a potentially nasty wound.