MANCHESTER UNITED United are reportedly prepared to wait until the summer to sign Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
The 27-year-old – who hasn’t started a Premier League game since November 3 – will be able to discuss a pre-contract with foreign sides next week.
The Danish playmaker has made it clear he will not follow Toby Alderwireld in signing a new deal at Spurs and has rejected several approaches, worth up to 200,000 one-week to extend his stay.
He could leave in the January transfer window but clubs may be unwilling to meet Tottenham’s 40million asking price with Eriksen available on a free in a matter of months.
According to The Telegraph, United have been closely monitoring the situation and believe they can land the former Ajax ace when his deal expires.
The report adds that Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is another player with admirers at Old Trafford, having scored a stunner in the two sides 2-2 draw earlier this month.
Dean Smith has already warned the Red Devils against making a move for the England star, who has a long-term contract with his boyhood club.
Yet United are among the clubs keeping tabs on whether the 24-year-old could become available if Villa get relegated.
Spurs meanwhile are yet to give up hope of persuading Eriksen to stay, despite chairman Daniel Levy insisting that he isn’t scared of selling to a rival.
Manager Jose Mourinho said last week: “The only thing I will tell you about Christian is that I would like him to sign a new contract. Apart from that I’m not going to tell you anything.”
In another press conference, the Portuguese added: “He has been here such a long time. If I was Christian, I would stay. He has been living the life of the club for the last five or six years.
“The transition from White Hart Lane to the best stadium in the world and knows the perspectives of the future and the vision of the club.”
Eriksen meanwhile has also attracted interest from Juventus and Real Madrid, with Los Blancos seeing him as a long-term replacement for Luka Modric.
However, Zinedine Zidane’s side failed to lodge a bid for the playmaker this summer and the emergence of youngster Federico Valverde has meant the position is no longer a priority.
Eriksen showed his value after emerging from the bench to help Spurs rescue a 2-2 draw away at Norwich with a deflected free-kick.
