Chelsea given chance to cash-in as Christensen showdown continues

Chelsea could yet cash in on contract rebel Andreas Christensen - with AC Milan reportedly plotting a January swoop for the Danish defender.

Christensen is in the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge and has f ailed to come to terms on an extension as of yet.

The 25-year-old is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January; leaving the Blues in a vulnerable position when it comes to the long-term future of the defender.

But it's now emerged that Chelsea could ensure they receive a fee for the centre half in January, with Serie A giants AC Milan keen on striking a deal.

According to Sky Italia, Milan are eager to snap up Christensen as cover for the injured Simon Kjaer - although they expect the defender is more likely to renew his deal with the Blues than move elsewhere.

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Kjaer has been ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring his cruciate ligament last weekend.

And the Italian side are keen on signing his compatriot as a replacement if Christensen does decide to move on amid his ongoing contract wrangle with the Blues hierarchy.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel went public last week with his frustrations over Christensen's contract stalemate - revealing that the defender had regened on a deal.

Although Tuchel outlined that he is eager to keep Christensen at the club, it remains to be seen if Milan's interest, and the prospect of picking up a transfer fee for the defender in the wake of his indecisiveness, will entice Tuchel or transfer chief Marina Granovskaia to alter change their mind.

The German admitted that Christensen's inconsistent stance had played a part in him being dropped from the team, insisting that he hoped it would encourage the defender to commit to a new long-term deal.

"I have no good news," said Tuchel last week when quizzed on Christensen's future.

"My understanding weeks ago was that Andreas wants the same as me, that he wants the same as the club.

"And that's why, for me, it was a zero problem situation because everybody wanted the same as far as I understood it.

"But we are waiting a long time now for confirmation. And it is on Andreas to act how he acts on the pitch.

"He needs to act now off the pitch, and walk the talk because he tells us that he loves Chelsea, he tells us that he wants to stay and be a big part.

"I think he is a perfect fit and I think that he is not done yet here. His career here is, by far, not finished, [he] can still develop and be big, big player.

"But, like I said, it's on him, it's on him. We want the commitment and hopefully we will get it."