Real Madrid transfer news: Why Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen is new priority ahead of Man Utd’s Paul Pogba

The fact Eriksen has one year on his deal and has now been so open about wanting a step up greatly tilts the situation

Real Madrid are now considering prioritising Christian Eriksen over Paul Pogba as they believe a deal for the Tottenham midfielder would be easier to complete.

The club’s third main target this summer has been a midfield controller, having already secured Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic. Manager Zinedine Zidane’s number-one priority has long been Pogba – to the point the French legend would take him “at any price”. While the Madrid hierarchy have had more reservations about the 26-year-old, Zidane has been so willing to get him, that he has made compromises on other positions like his preferred goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

It is understood that Eriken’s push to leave Tottenham Hotspur, however, has changed the dynamic. Madrid have dealt with chairman Daniel Levy a lot over the last few years, and know how difficult negotiations can be, but the fact Eriksen has one year on his deal and has now been so open about wanting a step up greatly tilts the situation. It is now seen as an easier deal to do than Pogba, given that Manchester United would want a much higher price, and probably in excess of £150m.

That Madrid have also spent close to £200m on Hazard and Jovic means they would prefer a cheaper option for midfield, which Eriksen does represent.

They have so far had difficulty freeing the budget by getting rid of players they don’t want, with those like Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez not currently finding any willing suitors.