Real Madrid focus on Eriksen: five reasons
The Danish midfielder has been high on the list of objectives for Los Blancos for some time and, as the player stalls with Tottenham, now could be the moment.
Christian Eriksen, born in Middelfart, Denmark, is one of the key objectives for Real Madrid in an attempt to immediately strengthen their playing squad. Los Blancos are firmly focused on the Tottenham Hospur man as someone who can come into the side and add the missing ingredient to the numerous youngsters who, despite their undoubted talent, need a new leader on the pitch. These are the five motives for that interest gathering pace in the offices of the Santiago Bernábeu.
His performances against Madrid
Those in the upper echelons of the Madrid hierarchy have been following the evolution of the Danish midfielder for some time. Their confidence in the player being suitably talented for a big-money move were confirmed after his performances against Los Blancos in the 2017 Champions League group stage. Although much of the attention was put on English striker Harry Kane, Eriksen impressed as he took control of the midfield, along with Harry Winks, in the Bernabéu. In the reverse fixture at Wembley, his goal (the third for his side). He kept things simple when they needed to be, was able to pick out well-positioned teammates, and always looked to get things moving towards the opposition goal.
Contract ending in 2020
The 26-year old's contract with Spurs ends in 2020, around 18 months from now. Madrid, like everyone else, are aware of this and hope to take advantage of a relative transfer value, reduced from what it could have been if the player was tied for longer. This was a timing trick also used by Madrid when they signed Toni Kroos in 2014 from Bayern Munich. If their plan works, they hope to secure the player for around 100 million euros or, failing that, await the contract ending and taking him for free, but a year later than Madridistas would prefer.
Modric replacement
Despite the fact that Luka Modric still has a contract in the Spanish capital, Eriksen would be a magnificent substitution for the Croatian midfielder. By signing the Spurs man it would allow Modric to be released to Inter Milan, as had been strongly suggested. The Dane, who started as a playmaker at Odense, is on the verge of being regarded as one of the best in the world in his position, and there are many that believe he could achieve that by making the move to Spain.
Young but experienced
Despite his age, he'll be 27 on Valentine's Day 2018, Eriksen has plenty of experience behind him, and has played in many high profile matches. After early developmet at Odense, he was signed by Ajax at just 16, where he remained until 2013, when he began carving out a name for himself at Tottenham. Eriksen was also notable for being the youngest player to participate in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, at the age of 18. Across the last decade he has played 415 games (162 with Ajax and 253 with the Londoners), scoring 94 goals (32 with Ajax, 62 with Spurs). In addition to this he has been capped 85 times for his country, scoring 25 times.
Levy may be willing to negotiate
Unlike most situations to do with selling his star players, Tottenham owner Daniel Levy may be more open to this transfer. The eventual moves in the same direction of Modric in 2012 and Bale the following year, were far from easy. With the contract running out, and a chance to recoup a significant sum in return for the player, it may be in both parties' interests to agree to this, especially if the player states his desire to go. In fact, Levy has already considered this and recently said: "Of course Eriksen is an important player and it is clear that as a coach you want to have him in your team. But in the end it is a negotiation and there are different parties that have different interests. It would be great if he stays here, but if not, he has the right to do what he wants."
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