Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Barcelona for versatile defender Andreas Christensen, even though he has not played since August with an Achilles tendon injury.
The 28-year-old featured for 26 minutes in Barcelona's La Liga opener against Valencia but suffered a recurrence of an Achilles problem that first struck him in March.
Christensen was absent BarcelonaThe last 30 games in all competitions as a result, looking the other way as the club's early season form has been eroded by a catalog of disastrous defeats – Atletico Madrid now top the table ahead Real Madridwith Barca in third place and behind six points.
Spanish edition sports report that Barcelona's change of heart on selling Ronald Araujo – he had been strongly linked with Juventus and was also a reported target for Arsenal – has prompted the club to reassess who they might be willing to let go in January.
Christensen's name is mentioned alongside Eric Garcia, with the report continuing to mention that United, who are 14th in the Premier League table but enjoyed a memorable FA Cup third round win against Arsenal on Sunday, have been in contact for the former Chelsea star.
Nothing is said to have progressed beyond an investigation by United, who appear, on the surface at least, to be well-stocked in the centre-back department.
Harry Maguire is enjoying a revival at the heart of a back three, flanked by a combination of Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and, at times, flying full-back Noussair Mazraoui.
Christensen is also capable of playing in a holding defensive midfield role – he has operated for Barcelona in that position on several occasions – though again united have Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro on the books, with Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen also able to drop deeper if required.
At the very least, Barcelona are likely to try to push someone through the exit door, given the continued delicacy of their finances. The club only has one managed to temporarily register Dani Olmo until early April, with sales in January and the summer the only possible way potential new signings can be paid.