Real Madrid have started the transfer window on a completely different note compared to their nightmare of a season. With four signings already in the bag in the first week of June, manager Zinedine Zidane seems to be bringing the Galactico days back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
According to a report from the Independent, Los Blancos are set to make another signing and this time they are targeting Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen who has just one year left on his contract.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba is another name on the transfer list but has somewhat fallen down the pecking order amidst growing interest from Italian champions Juventus, according to the report.
Eriksen managed 10 goals and 17 assists in his 51 appearances for Spurs and played a vital role in the north London club’s miraculous run in Europe which saw them reach the Champions League final for the first time ever.
Eriksen at Santiago Bernabeu: A wise move by Zidane
The Danish international is a versatile playmaker who predominantly features as an attacking midfielder but can play on either flank or in central midfield as we have seen on numerous occasions under Mauricio Pochettino.
The 27-year-old is a complete midfielder who is a constant threat for the opposition and possesses the ability to change the course of a match at any instant with his vision and anticipation of the game.
The Dane owns a wide range of skill-set from his passing range(key passes, through balls, successful passes) to his set-piece prowess all being top notch. The Spurs midfielder managed an average of 2.1 key passes, 1.1 crosses and 2.3 long balls per game in the recently concluded season. His pass success percentage of 80.8 last campaign also highlights his prolific nature at the centre of the pitch.
Eriksen has shown he can hold onto the ball in tight spaces while his long-shot prowess and ability to switch the play keeps the opposition on its toes.
His average of 2.3 long balls and a shot-ratio of 2.4 per game shows his confident nature which is vital for success at clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona who operate at a very high level.
With over €250m already spent on four signings, with another left back still to arrive(possibly Ferland Mendy) going after someone like Pogba does not seem to be feasible at this point. Even though Levy is a tough nut to crack when it comes to selling his players, when compared to Pogba, Eriksen is likely to come for a far cheaper fee and will also provide more balance in his approach.
Stat Courtesy: Whoscored, Transfermarkt