Real Madrid are keen to sign Eder Militao for £50 million from FC Porto, while facing stiff competition from Premier League teams.
Tribal Football has reported that the Spanish side are looking at the Brazilian defender to bolster their defence in January. The 20-year-old has had a fine form this season and is attracting interest from English clubs such as Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC and Everton FC.
Santiago Solari looks forward to fend off competition from England by arranging a special meeting with the player’s agents, so that they can present their conditions and offer. As per the reports of the Portuguese publication A Bola the meeting with the Liga NOS side can happen anytime next week.
The youngster has seen a spectacular debut season in Europe after moving from his Brazilian club Sao Paulo last summer. Los Blancos have had the youngster in their sights since the summer transfer window are hoping to rope the defender in the winter transfer window rather than to wait until summer.
Militao currently doesn’t have any intention to leave his side and neither are Porto going to let him go off anytime soon. The defender has a contract with Porto until 2023 and his side is not budging to come to the negotiating table for a dime under £50 million.
Real Madrid have little to choose beyond Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos, with Nacho and Jesus Vallejo not exactly beaming with confidence. Ramos is starting to age and could do with rest from time to time, which means Real would need a credible defender in regular rotation.
Manchester United fans are finally seeing Victor Lindelof adjust to the rigours of Premier League football and deliver credible performances. But, there are no reliable options beyond the Swede. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are good but definitely not title challenge-worthy while Eric Bailly is a bundle of skill and nerves.
Manchester City had courted the defender at the beginning of the season, before his transfer to FC Porto. His versatility was much appreciated by Pep Guardiola, who had viewed him as potential right-back.
Real Madrid would have to move fast on their prodigal target before he is swooped by Premier League teams who have had no hesitance to splurge on star defenders in the recent years. The Brazilian would have his value reduced substantially in summer, due to a release clause in his contract. That would attract more attention to him, meaning that Real Madrid would have to make a move in January with an offer they can’t refuse.
