Manchester United transfer target Eder Militao has reportedly reached an agreement with European champions Real Madrid over a summer transfer.
According to a report from Brazilian network SporTV, Real Madrid are set to beat Premier League heavyweights Manchester United for the signing of FC Porto starlet Eder Militao, after arriving at a verbal agreement with the defender.
The 21-year-old Brazilian has been making all the right noises since moving to the Portuguese outfit from Sao Paulo FC in the summer transfer window.
Eder has made 24 appearances across all competitions in the 2018-19 campaign, chipping in with two goals and assists apiece, helping the club to the top spot in the Primeira Liga and qualification to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
The one-time capped Brazilian international’s performances have earned rave reviews from all quarters and has led to significant transfer interest, chiefly from Manchester United and Real Madrid, both of whom have struggled for defensive stability in the ongoing campaign.
Manchester United have been seeking defensive reinforcements since the summer window and having failed to bring in a new centre-half back then, they are keen to address the issue this month. To that end, they have been linked with a host of names, including the promising Eder.
However, Manchester United now seem to have been beaten in the race by reigning European champions Real Madrid.
The Merengues have endured a disappointing season so far, as they find themselves in the fourth spot in the La Liga after 19 matches. Santiago Solari’s men have let in 24 goals in the Spanish top-flight this term, which is the second worst defensive record in the top-half of the league standings, with only tenth-placed Espanyol conceding more (27).
World Cup winner Raphael Varane has been well below his usual standards, while captain Sergio Ramos too, has had a bit of a mixed campaign. With utility man Nacho and the inexperienced and injury-prone Jesus Vallejo as the fallback options, Real Madrid are naturally looking to strengthen in that area of the pitch, by bringing in Eder from Porto.
According to latest report coming from Brazil, Los Blancos have ‘verbally agreed’ to trigger the 21-year-old’s release clause which currently stands at £44 million, but would have increased to £66 million on July 1st. The same report claims that Real Madrid have also agreed terms with Eder and a summer move is on the verge of completion.
Considering how well Eder has performed in his debut campaign in Europe, Real Madrid stand to benefit greatly from the signing, should the transfer go through. At the same time, it comes as a major blow for Manchester United, who will now have to look at other targets in order to beef up their backline before the end of the month.
