Real Madrid are reportedly prioritising a summer move for Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen over Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba.
According to a report from The Independent, Real Madrid are set to cast aside their interest in Manchester United star Paul Pogba in favour of signing Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen from Tottenham Hotspur.
Real Madrid have been extremely busy in the off-season. After a disastrous 2018-19 campaign, Los Blancos are not wasting any time in strengthening their squad for the upcoming term. While deals were in place for Rodrygo and Eder Militao to arrive this summer, the club have followed it up with high-profile signings of Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has a new central midfielder on his shopping list next and two names have been prominently linked with a summer switch to the Santiago Bernabeu – Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen.
Pogba’s name has been associated with Real Madrid ever since Zidane returned to the club in March earlier this year. The Frenchman is a huge admirer of the Manchester United midfielder and the player himself has made no secret of his ambition to play for the Merengues, sparking a frenzy of speculations.
With the Red Devils not qualifying for the Champions League next season, Pogba’s drive to seal a summer switch to Real Madrid has only intensified. Recent reports had claimed that Manchester United had slapped a £160 million price-tag on the 26-year-old World Cup winner.
However, according to The Independent, Real Madrid have now decided to prioritise a move for Eriksen instead of Pogba. The Danish playmaker recently revealed that he is ready for a new challenge in his career, hinting that a potential transfer to Real Madrid would appeal to him.
The fact that the 27-year-old has spoken publicly of his desire to leave Tottenham this summer is believed to have convinced Real Madrid to pursue Eriksen over Pogba. Moreover, the fact that the Danish international is set to enter the final year of his contract with the North London outfit gives the La Liga giants a distinct advantage as well.
Real Madrid have been quoted a transfer fee of £80 million for Eriksen by Tottenham, although they hope to get that reduced, considering his contractual situation. Even if they fail to do so, the Spurs star will cost them much lesser than Pogba, making the Dane a more appealing target.
Los Blancos have spent almost £200 million on Hazard and Jovic already. Given that they haven’t been able to find proper suitors for out of favour stars like Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez till now, they will want to keep an eye on their spending.
As things stand on the midfield transfers front, a move for Eriksen seems to make more sense for Real Madrid. The former Ajax man could prove to be the ideal long-term replacement for veteran Luka Modric, but it remains to be seen if they press ahead with their pursuit of the Dane or decide to splash the cash on Pogba.
