Manchester United are watching Christian Eriksen this summer. And that is three years after the Danish international allegedly rejected a move to Old Trafford amid fears that he would become the next Juan Mata. Any transfer this summer is not guaranteed, especially with Red Devils Premier League rivals all around.
Manchester United are looking to add more creativity to their midfield, especially after the departure of Paul Pogba on a free transfer.
And it was revealed earlier this week that the Red Devils had submitted a contract offer to the Denmark international in hopes of securing his signature.
Now, if United sign Eriksen, it will be quite surprising.
In 2019, the Red Devils sensed an opportunity with the settlement of the 30-year-old’s contract at Tottenham at the time.
United pressed on to land Eriksen, but eventually lost to game-maker Spurs until the January 2020 match, when he later joined Inter Milan.
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Mata became a peripheral figure, and even before he left this summer, he had been for a long time.
And it remains to be seen whether Eriksen thinks differently now.
Erik ten Hag has a good relationship with the Dane, whom he allowed to train with Ajax before moving to Brentford.
But United are not the only team in the race to land the 30-year-old, who scored once and recorded four assists for the Bees last quarter.
Tottenham look forward to meeting Eriksen, especially now that they have Champions League football to offer.
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Brentford himself is still willing to keep the midfielder, although he is now technically a free agent.
And Leicester, Brighton and Everton have also emerged as potential contenders.
Meanwhile, former Rangers and Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish thinks Eriksen would be a big signing for United.
“For me, it’s obvious. If they can get Christian, take it in a heartbeat,” he said.
“I still feel that United is nickel and stretched a bit. With the coach, there have been some players that Man United have been associated with that I think, ‘No.’
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“I can’t see Man United ‘s progress in this regard when I see some of the names related to them.
“This is what Ten Hag will find to be the hardest part of his career and his life, recruiting.
“If he and the recruiting guys don’t recruit the guys who can take Man United to another level, I’m sorry, it will be the same, the same.
“We’ve seen it for the last five or six years, or let me go back even further, from Sir Alex (Ferguson).”