Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign Christian Eriksen on a free transfer following his sensational return to action last season.
The Dane was at the centre of some of the most harrowing scenes of 2021 after he suffered a cardiac arrest at last summer’s Euros, but having been fitted with an implantable cardiovascular defibrillator, he made a stunning return to action in January after joining Brentford on a six-month contract.
The former Inter Milan midfielder showed no signs of rustiness and took back to action like a duck to water, scoring once and providing four assists in his 11 outings for the Bees.
Before joining up with Brentford, Eriksen had spent time building up his fitness with his former side, Ajax, who were of course at the time managed by newly appointed Man Utd boss, Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman is said to have been left ‘hugely impressed’ by the player’s desire and performances following his return to the Premier League, and he could now make a swoop for the out-of-contract star.
According to the Mirror, Ten Hag is looking to make ‘six new signings’ this summer, and is ‘looking to make his budget stretch as far as possible’, with Eriksen emerging as a potential target on a free transfer.
It has been widely reported that United only have around £120m to spend this summer, plus whatever they can claw back through player sales, and they are already believed to be in talks over the signings of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona and Darwin Nunez from Benfica, two signings that would eat up the majority of that £120m budget.
Eriksen would represent an affordable and gettable option given that he is out of contract this summer, with United set to wipe around £1million-a-week off their wage bill this summer following the departures of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani.
However, the Red Devils are likely to face competition from a number of other clubs for Eriksen’s signature, with the Mirror’s report citing Tottenham and Everton as interested parties, while Brentford have made it known that they would like to keep the player in West London.
Eriksen previously spent five-and-a-half-years at Spurs, making 305 appearances for the North London club, before opting to move to join Inter Milan. Spurs have the advantage of being able to offer the midfielder Champions League football, while Eriksen will also know what it’s like to work under Antonio Conte after their spell together at the San Siro.
United are also thought to be keen on strengthening in defence, with Pau Torres having been linked, though Jurrien Timber of Ajax is thought to be having doubts over a move to Old Trafford as he sets his eyes on featuring in Louis van Gaal’s World Cup squad this winter.
