Latest developments
- Manchester United are “seriously interested” in Barcelona's Andreas Christensen.
- The Dane was subject of rumours linking him to Newcastle this month.
- The former Chelsea man is happy to stay at Barcelona.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): Reports from Spain
Man Utd want to strengthen their centre-back options by signing former Premier League player Andreas Christensen from Barcelona.
This story broke on Spanish site Mundo Deportivo and was shared on teamtalk.com, with the original outlet claiming the Red Devils are seriously interested in the 28-year-old.
Value (3/5): United will have to pay extra
Christensen's market value halved over the course of this season, dropping to £16.5 million as he has been sidelined with injury since the opening day.
Barcelona, who are said to be open to offers, will consider him still worth £33 million and above and will want to cash in soon with 18 months left on his deal.
Suitability (4.5/5): Sharpness the sole concern
The Dane is supposed to be returning to action next month, and a lack of match fitness would be the only concern for United.
They would be getting a UEFA Champions League, Europa League and La Liga winner, who is comfortable in pretty much any defensive system and in England, where he featured 161 times for Chelsea.
Upgrade? (4/5): Injuries aside, yes
Again, how sharp he will be on returning to fitness is the only question, as he would be expected to start ahead of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, while youngster Leny Yoro is still developing.
Even first-choice centre-back Lisandro Martinez is having perhaps his worst spell in a United shirt recently.
Logic (2/5): Christensen wants to stay put
Christensen's winning mentality and big-club experience makes him an obvious target in an area of the pitch United need refreshing.
The Denmark man is happy at Barcelona, though, laughing off suggestions of a move away, making a move to crisis club United pretty unlikely.
Whisper+ verdict: 16.5/25
He has all the right attributes that should make him worth Barcelona's asking price, but being part of a huge rebuild at Old Trafford is unlikely to force Christensen away from Catalonia.
