Christian Eriksen wants to leave Tottenham, but is it better to stay?

Christian Eriksen was mediocre by his usual high level in Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Manchester City on Saturday. The Danish midfielder struggled to get into the match – though, in his defense, it's hard for the best to make an impact as a guest player at Etihad – and when he had the Opportunity to create or create a difference, it made a mess.

There was a case, late in the second half, when Harry Kane withdrew his marker to sneak into space on the right flank. Eriksen had the ball at his feet, with the time and space to choose his teammate and release him for a clear race to the goal. But instead, the 27-year-old took too long to make his decision and was dispossessed, which allowed City to turn a potentially dangerous situation into an attack on its own.

It was certainly not the kind of contribution that one could expect from a player with ambitious projects at Real Madrid or Barcelona. However, after telling Spurs that he would not extend his contract (which will run out next summer) because he wanted to take on a new challenge elsewhere, sources told ESPN FC that 39; former playmaker of Ajax was only interested in a transfer to these two Spanish giants. or, in third choice, Juventus.

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Eriksen is still a Tottenham player, but his head and his heart are determined to play for someone else. However, just like Paul Pogba of Manchester United, who also wants to move to Real, Eriksen discovered that there was not enough appetite or financial capacity to reach an agreement.

Tottenham's manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has not been able to categorically say that Eriksen will not be sold until September 2, the deadline for transfers. The sources told ESPN FC that there was a feeling of perplexity among the Spurs because of the midfielder's mentality. There has been little real interest from Real, Barca or Juventus.

Eriksen, it seems, is clinging to an agreement that seems unlikely. The Spurs are ready to hand him a new contract valued at £ 200,000 a week, which would bind him to the club until his thirties, but he showed no interest in discussing the proposed terms.

When United tried to persuade Eriksen to move to Old Trafford before the Premier League transfer deadline earlier this month, he was also caught unawares, with the clear message that only Real, Barca or Juve would be in trouble. able to persuade him to leave the Spurs this summer.

If none of his desired clubs move at the last minute (the Italy deadline being already advanced on Aug. 23), Eriksen is likely facing a full season at Spurs unless a serious injury to Real, Barca or Juve does not oblige them to pursue him. in the January transfer window. But what will happen next summer, when he will become a free agent and his "big three" will still not want him?

Real will need a replacement for Luka Modric at one point, but they signed Eden Hazard this summer and Pogba will be the priority at the end of this season. It is difficult to see Eriksen at the top of their shopping list.

Barcelona was loaned to Bayern Munich by Philippe Coutinho, who has no place for a goal No. 10, so that does not bode anything to Eriksen's hopes of settling at Camp Nou, including with the signature of Antoine Griezmann.

And although Juventus is the queen of free players, it will have to find a way to persuade Paulo Dybala to leave Turin before turning to Eriksen – if this summer has shown anything, Dybala will do it. leaves only his conditions and when it suits him.

Bayern Munich could have been a good option for Eriksen, but the loan agreement it concluded with Coutinho includes a purchase agreement of 120 million euros on a permanent basis, which which suggests that the door of the Allianz Arena is well closed. Still, Eriksen has at least one interesting option to consider: staying at Spurs.

Since his arrival from Ajax in 2013, he has played a vital role in the club's growth, to the point that the Spurs are now one of Europe's elites. The trophies have not materialized yet, but reaching the Champions League final last season was a real advance and a sign of Tottenham's ability to compete with the best. They also have a new world class stadium, one of the best football training grounds and a highly valued coach of the world's biggest clubs.

Staying seems to be the best option for Eriksen, because if he looks closely at others, he may realize that this is the only possible solution.