Manchester United have reportedly emerged as the shock favourites to land Christian Eriksen, amid his contract standoff with Premier League outfit Tottenham
According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United are leading the race to sign Christian Eriksen. The Danish playmaker is stalling over signing a fresh contract with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with manager Mauricio Pochettino effusing little confidence over the player’s future at the club.
Eriksen has been one of the finest playmakers on show in the Premier League ever since he joined Tottenham from Ajax in the summer of 2013. Now, nearly six years since he made his way to the North London club, the Danish international has played a big part in Spurs’ ascent into the Premier League title picture.
But, as the months have passed by this season, it has become increasingly concerning that Eriksen could soon be leaving the Premier League heavyweights, with the player failing to reach an agreement over a new deal. This situation has piqued the interest of several big name clubs, with the latest outfit in his pursuit being Manchester United.
Manchester United do have an able playmaker in the form of Juan Mata, while the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial provide the creative impetus as well. But, the fact that Mata is now in his thirties will unlikely be lost on the Red Devils, which explains why they might be eyeing Eriksen as a possible reinforcement in the summer.
Add to it the fact that the Dane can play anywhere across the three possible attacking positions behind the striker means that he could possibly be a solution for the right wing slot as well. And, Manchester United have now been buoyed by the fact that Eriksen’s impasse over a new deal has seemingly reached a head.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has previously urged Eriksen to pledge his future to Spurs, has confirmed that there has been little movement over a renewal, iterating the same in the aftermath of his side’s 3-0 win over Cardiff City this week.
“The phrase is no news is good news but, in this case, I don’t know [if that’s true].”
As per the report, Manchester United are now leading the race to sign the 26-year-old, who could provide the best years of his career to them. However, convincing Tottenham to sell to their Premier League rivals will be a tall order, especially after the tug of war for the transfer of Toby Alderweireld last summer.
But, the fact that Eriksen’s contract will have less than 12 months left to run next summer means Spurs might have little choice but to sell the player to Manchester United, unless a foreign club lodges a bid for him.
