Christensen 'very close to agreeing free transfer to Barcelona'

Andreas Christensen is reportedly 'really close' to agreeing a deal to join Barcelona this summer on a free transfer.

The Chelsea defender is out of contract in June and has failed to agree an extension at Stamford Bridge.

Sportsmail revealed earlier this week the Catalan giants were increasingly confident of winning the race to sign to sign the defender, who is is now free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club.

The 25 year-old is understood to have indicated his willingness to move to the Nou Camp, with Barcelona having pursued the Denmark international since last summer.

And The Guardian journalist Fabrizio Romano has now claimed that while the Denmark international has turned down proposals from Premier League sides out of respect for the Blues, he is now set to move to LaLiga in the summer.

He claims Christensen, 25, has chosen Barcelona after they submitted a superior contract offer to Bayern Munich, the other club to show serious interest after it was announced Niklas Sule would join Borussia Dortmund on a free in June.

Romano also claims a meeting is scheduled to take place next week when the final details of the deal are expected to be completed. 

Chelsea believed they were on the verge of tying Christensen down on an extended deal last summer but negotiations broke down following a change in the Danish defender's demands.

With the situation remaining unresolved, head coach Thomas Tuchel said in November: 'It's on Andreas to act how he acts on the pitch off the pitch and walk the talk.

'He tells us he loves Chelsea, that he wants to stay and be a big part, because he is a big part of a big club. I think he is the perfect fit, he is not done yet here, his career here is not finished.'  

Tuchel also