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Real Madrid are set to give up on the potential signing of playmaker Christian Eriksen this summer, according to The Times.
The Spanish giants are instead set to focus on the signings of Paul Pogba from Manchester United and Eden Hazard from Chelsea.
What’s the word?
Real, the report claims, are wary of again negotiating with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
Eriksen’s current contract expires at the end of next season and, if no transfer is arranged and no new deal is agreed this summer, Spurs run the risk of losing the Denmark international on a free transfer once the 2019-20 campaign concludes.
The Times state that Eriksen is valued at £60million, a fee Real could surely afford, given the calibre of their reported transfer targets.
But the club are said to be reluctant to deal with Levy, who extracted a then world record £85million fee from the Spanish club when they signed Gareth Bale in 2013. The Times claim that deal went through on transfer deadline day despite negotiations being opened many months prior.
Instead, Real are set to target both Pogba and Hazard in deals that could cost well over £200m.
With the possibility of Eriksen moving to Los Blancos seemingly fading, Spurs are set to reopen talks with the playmaker over a new contract.
He currently earns £70,000-per-week, less than Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko at the club.
Reputation precedes him
Levy’s reputation has always had its advantages to Tottenham.
Of course, his insistence on always receiving the highest possible fee for players leaving the club, and in driving a hard bargain when attempting to acquire signatures, has often led to frustration among the fanbase.
But Real’s apparent refusal to even enter into talks with Levy speaks to his fearsome legend.
Spurs fans will hope that this development leads to a new deal for the Dane but it may also have the opposite effect, with Eriksen potentially sitting out his deal and attempting to negotiate a Bosman exit next summer.
These are the highest of stakes for the club’s chairman.
