Chelsea release Christensen with Barca set to swoop

Chelsea have confirmed Andreas Christensen will leave the club when his contract expires later this month.

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

Christensen made 161 appearances during a decade with the Blues, lifting the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup and Super Cup along the way.

A club statement said: "Chelsea thank Andreas for his contribution to our success in the last decade and wish 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 and the world champions have also confirmed that Danny Drinkwater, Charly Musonda and Jake Clarke-Salter will not see their contracts renewed.