Christian Eriksen shut down talks with Manchester United, with the Danish playmaker’s decision coming off the back of a promise made to Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy in 2017.
Eriksen, via his agent Martin Schoots, told Levy two years ago that he would never play for another London club out of respect to Spurs. Rivals Chelsea had previously been linked.
After United made their interest in the 27-year-old known ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline, Eriksen reiterated that he was not prepared to play for another English club.
His representatives pulled the plug on the potential £80million move to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side as a result, telling United that playing in Spain is their client’s priority.
The Dane is now being tracked by Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who recently signed Kieran Trippier for £20m, though Real Madrid have long been mooted as his preferred destination.
A transfer to the Bernabeu is complicated by the fact that Real boss Zinedine Zidane appears to be prioritising moves for Paul Pogba and Ajax’s Donny van de Beek.
Serie A side Juventus have also been linked with Eriksen amid Spurs’ interest in Paulo Dybala.
The English transfer window closes at 5pm on Thursday while those in Spain and Italy will remain open until September 2, giving Eriksen time to secure his move abroad.
Tottenham were believed to want £80m to let Eriksen join a Premier League rival — around £20m more than they are likely to quote interested European clubs this summer.
Spurs risk losing Eriksen for nothing if they do not sell him abroad in the next three weeks because his £75,000-per-week contract is due to expire in 2020. The attacker spoke out in June about wanting to ‘try something new’.
RayG
80
What a move Levy has pulled on Woodward. Levy, so Woodward claims, asked him to make an offer for Eriksen knowing there was no chance of him agreeing to join United. Why? Because at that point Levy wanted Woodward to pull out of two deals, Fernandes and Dybala so Spurs could beat United to their signings. Woodward being as gullible as he is fell for this con with Tottenham making Woodward the fool he is and United humbled. How does Woodward keep his job and his obscene salary?
Toblana
61
Man Utd wants to sign Dybala. A few days later: He prefers to play in Spain Man Utd wants to sign Eriksen. A day later: He prefers to play in Spain Man Utd's best player: Pogba He prefers to play in Spain Man Utd fans:
adesinaalamu
40
Tottenham were believed to want £80m to let Eriksen join a Premier League rival — around £20m more than they are likely to quote interested European clubs this summer but Eriksen himself said he promised not to join rival club out of respect for the club.....so, who is deceiving who?