Chelsea release Christensen with Barca set to swoop

Chelsea have confirmed that Andreas Christensen will leave the club at the expiration of his contract later this month.

The Danish defender, 26, is widely expected to join Barcelona on a free transfer.

Christensen made 161 appearances for the Blues during a decade with the club, lifting the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup and Super Cup during his time in the capital.

A club statement said: “Chelsea thanks Andreas for his contribution to our success in the last decade and wishes him well in his future career.”

Thomas Tuchel’s squad is set to undergo a period of transition this summer as a result of the successful takeover of the Stamford Bridge outfit by a Todd Boehly-led consortium.

Antonio Rudiger has already agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer and the world champions have also confirmed that Danny Drinkwater, Charly Musonda and Jake Clarke-Salter will not see their contracts renewed.