Financial details of Andreas Christensen’s new Barcelona contract and its implications | OneFootball

Barcelona have several questions to address regarding their central defence ahead of the new season.

In Hansi Flick’s first season at the club, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez formed a formidable partnership that papered over the cracks in that position.

After the latter left to join Al Nassr last summer, Barcelona have still not fully solved the question of who Cubarsi’s long-term partner in that position is.

One player who could have made that position his own was Andreas Christensen. Profile-wise, he has everything Flick would want from a centre-back in his team.

However, the Dane’s last couple of seasons have been riddled with injuries. He has hardly managed to stay fit, which has not allowed Flick to use him for a continuous run of games.

A contract renewal on reduced terms

Christensen joined Barcelona from Chelsea in the summer of 2022/23 and immediately became a mainstay in the backline under Xavi Hernandez.

Christensen will continue at Barcelona. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Danish centre-back’s current deal expires in less than three weeks, and as reported before, Barcelona have placed a contract renewal offer on the table for the 30-year-old.

Now, according to Victor Malo, the financial details of this renewal have come to light.

Barca’s new proposal is understood to include a significant pay cut. Christensen currently earns around €12 million gross per season, while the new offer would lower his fixed salary to approximately €5 million gross.

The deal, however, would include performance-related bonuses that could raise his income by a further €3-4 million if he becomes an important player under Flick and starts in at least 60% of available games.

To put it in perspective, the reason why this clause exists is that the defender played just 24 matches in the last two years and still managed to earn €24 million, which translates to €1 million per match.

Hence, the new agreement could help the club free up around €7 million in Barcelona’s wage bill, which is an important factor as they continue to work within FFP restrictions.

Flick continues to trust Christensen

Christensen will play on reduced wages. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Despite missing over 80 games in two seasons, Flick is also understood to retain confidence in Christensen’s quality.

When he is fit and playing at his best, the Dane has everything it takes to be the perfect partner for Cubarsi. He is also adept at playing on the left side of central defence.

Keeping Christensen might also mean that the club are not that keen on signing a new central defender this summer.

In addition to Cubarsi and the Dane, the club already have Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martin and Alvaro Cortes in the ranks.

If Deco manages to get Christensen to agree to this deal, he would be keeping an experienced defender in the squad while also generating valuable margin.

The final decision now rests with the player himself and whether he is willing to accept a lower fixed salary to try to regain his place under Hansi Flick.