Atletico Madrid is eyeing a shock January move for a key Barcelona defender, looking to address their defensive vulnerabilities.
With Mateu Alemany’s arrival as sporting director, the Colchoneros are targeting strategic signings to bolster their backline, particularly in the January 2026 transfer window.
As FC Barcelona, second with 19 points, prepares for El Clasico on October 26, 2025, their rivals across Madrid are eyeing a key Blaugrana player whose contract situation presents a golden opportunity for a mid-season coup.
According to Fichajes, Atletico Madrid have set their sights on Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen, the 28-year-old Danish center-back whose contract expires in June 2026.
Alemany, who brought Christensen to Barcelona in 2022, sees the defender as an ideal fit to address Atlético’s defensive woes, exacerbated by recent shaky performances.
Christensen’s experience at Chelsea and Barcelona, combined with his familiarity with Alemany’s vision, makes him a low-risk target, especially as Barcelona has yet to offer a contract extension.
Christensen’s injury history, including a recent gastrointestinal illness that ruled him out of Barcelona’s 6-1 Olympiacos win, has delayed renewal talks, with Hansi Flick prioritizing Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí.
Atletico Madrid aims to capitalize, potentially securing Christensen for a modest fee in January or free in 2026.
His ball-playing ability and composure suit Diego Simeone’s pragmatic style, offering stability alongside less experienced defenders.
Barcelona’s hesitation, per Spanish reports, stems from Christensen’s injury-prone record, despite his desire to stay.
Atlético’s urgency, with European knockout stages looming, aligns with Alemany’s strategy of leveraging known quantities.
The €380m Spotify deal bolsters Barcelona’s finances, but losing Christensen could weaken their depth, especially with Eric Garcia also attracting interest from Chelsea.
As Barcelona focuses on Real Madrid, Atlético’s pursuit of Christensen signals a bold move.
If negotiations advance, January could see the Dane swap Catalonia for the Metropolitano, reshaping both clubs’ defenses in a transfer saga driven by necessity and opportunity.
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