Barcelona sign Christensen and Kessié - Squad value increased by €80m

After signing Franck Kessié on a free transfer from Milan, Barcelona have also announced the arrival of free agent center-back Andreas Christensen from Chelsea. Both players have signed identical contracts that will run until 2026 at theLaLiga giants and will include an exit clause worth €500 million. 

Christensen announced some time ago that he was going to leave Chelsea this summer—his free transfer to Barça has been rumored for months. Kessié, in the meantime, is the fifth most valuable free transfer in the history of the Transfermarkt market values. The Ivorian national team player has the same market value as Memphis Depay did when he joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summer. The two transfers increase Barcelona's squad value by €80 million to €690 million—the club jumps from the 12th spot in the ranking to the ninth spot leapfrogging Inter Milan, Manchester United, and Atlético Madrid. 

"We will present Kessié on Wednesday and Christensen on Thursday," president Joan Laporta said. The Catalans are also interested in Leeds United winger Raphinha. The 25-year-old also has offers from Arsenal and Chelsea—he would cost around €60 million. Robert Lewandowski also remains a candidate, but Bayern Munich want at least €50 million, with the complete fee paid upfront. 

Free transfers at Barça: Financial constraints lead to a new trend

Free transfers have been far and between at Barça in the past. Former goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto, who joined the club on a free transfer from Celta Vigo in 2008, was for a long-time the last free-agent signing. Then in the summer of 2021, Barcelona signed Depay, Sergio Agüero, and Eric García before also adding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last winter.