‘We are not happy about it’ – Tuchel braced for Christensen to make stunning Barcelona free transfer in summer

CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel has confessed he is 'not happy' about the prospect of losing Andreas Christensen this summer.

Christensen, 25, is out of contract at the end of the campaign and is tipped to be joining Barcelona for free upon the expiry of his deal.

Shedding light on the defender's situation, Tuchel revealed he is 'not happy' about parting ways with the Danish international, as he 'relies heavily' on Christensen.

The German said: "It's in doubt [whether Christensen stays], we hear the rumours.

"The situation with Andreas has been clear for many weeks, we are not happy about it because we - club representatives and I - think it's best for him to stay, we rely heavily on him.

"He has not signed yet, so you cannot not communicate. This is a signal to us, and communication from his side is that he has not signed up until now."

Tuchel went on to reiterate his disappointment at the prospect of losing Christensen, but claimed the defending European champions WILL be able to cope without the man who has played 153 times for the club.

He added: "We have to consider the possibility he will leave us. Will we like it? No. Will we live with it? Yes.

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"Things are not personal, they never should be, this can happen, but I have no further information that I don't want to share."

Christensen is reported to have already agreed a deal worth around £95,000-a-week with Barcelona.

Reports earlier this week from Spanish outlet suggested he had even undergone the second phase of his Barcelona medical on Monday.

That's after already passing preliminary medical tests last week, with his agent expected in the Spanish city this week to formally announce an agreement.

Talks between the club and Christensen's representatives over an extension broke down earlier this season.

And in a double blow to Chelsea club captain Cesar Azpilicueta might also join Christensen in swapping the Blues for Barca.

Like Christensen, Azpilicueta is out of contract at the end of the campaign with no agreement in place regarding an extension.

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