Krishnan Sreekumar
Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen discusses future beyond summer amidst transfer interest from Manchester United
Speaking to Viaplay (h/t Daily Mail), Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen has spoken about his future beyond the upcoming summer transfer window, amidst links regarding a move to Manchester United ahead of the new season.
Eriksen made a return to the Premier League earlier this year, signing a short-term contract with Brentford until the end of the current campaign. The Bees were able to sign him for free, with the midfielder having been a free agent before that.
The Dane spoke about what he has in store come next season, suggesting that he is yet to make a decision as of yet. He said that football players have many criteria when it comes to picking their next club, saying that some sides also need to see the player’s path before making an offer.
“I do not think that there are some football players who can just pick and choose between clubs, because there are many criteria that come into play. There are also many clubs that need to see one’s path before that happens.”
The 30-year-old has picked up interest from former club Tottenham Hotspur as well as United, with both teams keen to snap him up for free in the summer. He previously spent seven years with Spurs, reaching the final of the Champions League in 2019.
“I have different offers and options”
Eriksen has been influential for Brentford since his return to football in January this year, after recovering from the cardiac arrest he suffered during the UEFA 2020 Euros whilst playing for Denmark. At the time, he was an Inter Milan player, having moved to Italy in 2020 from Spurs.
Now, with his contract with the Bees expiring at the end of the season, the midfielder has spoken of a desire to play Champions League football again. Although he said it was fun to play in the competition, he insisted that it was not an essential criterion for him.
“I have different offers and options, which we are considering, and then we make a decision. I would love to play Champions League football again. I know how much fun it is, but it isn’t essential for me.”
Between Tottenham and United, only the former is able to offer him the opportunity to play in the UCL next season. The Lilywhites sit fourth in the Premier League table and are two points ahead of Arsenal, although the Gunners have a game in hand.
In comparison, the Red Devils are in sixth place and are out of the running to qualify for the Champions League. At best, they can offer Eriksen Europa League football, but that too is not guaranteed unless they win on the last game week of the season.
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In what is a significant boost for the Manchester side, Eriksen himself has admitted that Champions League football is not essential for him. He has not tasted that at Brentford thus far, and the Bees cannot offer him any continental competition next term.
It remains to be seen if the Dane remains in London with Thomas Frank’s men beyond the summer, or if he chooses a club that can offer him European football next term. Hopefully, the new project headed by Erik ten Hag at United proves to be an attractive option for the midfielder.
