What does the future have in store for Christian Eriksen?

Plenty of talk continues to surround the future of Tottenham star Christian Eriksen and whether or not we will be seeing him in the Premier League once again next season. The Denmark international has made no secret in the fact that he wants to leave the north London side for a fresh challenge elsewhere, with Real Madrid the current front-runners to sign him ahead of the forthcoming 2019-20 campaign.

Having committed his services to Spurs during the previous six seasons, nobody can question the 27-year-old's loyalty, indeed it is easy to understand why Eriksen is now looking to make the step-up to the very top level. He has the quality to cut it with the very best in the business - that is undeniable - and as he enters his peak, it is very much a case of now or never for the Dane.

With Liverpool and Manchester City's dominance in the English top-flight so evidently ahead of the rest, it is difficult to see Tottenham stake a claim for the title any time soon. Mauricio Pochettino's side were impressive for large parts of last season, notably in Europe, but they surpassed their best chance of winning their first ever Premier League title when they missed out on the divisions ultimate prize in 2016-17, finishing runners-up to Chelsea after looking to be in control for large parts of the gruelling campaign.

The season before that, it was Leicester who stunned the footballing world by winning the league on just 81 points. Take nothing away from the Foxes exploits four years ago, but it is a matter of fact that the rest of the chasing pack simply were not up to scratch. These were the times where Spurs should have done better, but they didn't. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City now have ultimate control of the Premier League, that much is clear and at least for the foreseeable future, it is difficult to envisage anyone else standing in their way of the title.

Eriksen will know that Tottenham are not realistic title contenders and with just a year left to run on his contract, knows that it suits both himself and his current employers to depart this summer for a sizeable fee, as opposed to walking on a free this time next year. Daniel Levy knows this, too, which is why he has reportedly lowered his asking price on the player considerably, down to £62m from £134m [via Mundo Deportivo].

Eriksen has refused a new contract at Spurs; it is clear that he doesn't wish to stay at the club which makes it vital for Tottenham to offload him before the new season begins in just over a month's time. Should nothing be agreed before the club's opening fixture against Aston Villa on 10 August, Eriksen will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with Madrid in January and simply walk out for nothing next summer. It would be a nightmare scenario for the north Londoners, who have just shelled out over £800m on a brand new stadium and desperately need to cash-in on their prized assets when they still can in order to recoup some of those funds.

Tottenham are also nearing completion on the signing of France international Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon, which is a clear replacement for Eriksen; what seems to be halting progression of a deal is Madrid's reluctance to splash yet more cash on a new signing, when they know full well they could get him for nothing in a year's time. Even by Los Blancos' standards, they have spent an absurd amount of money on new personnel already this window - over £200m - on Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo, so a further £60m+ signing requires plenty of consideration.

It has also been reported that Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has grown frustrated on the clubs pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who looks destined for a return to former club Juventus if he does leave Old Trafford at all this summer [via Bernabeu Digital]. If true, this would give the Eriksen transfer much more promise as the Dane would become Madrid's prime target, as opposed to just a back-up for the Frenchman.

The bottom line is that a move to the Spanish capital makes sense for all parties involved - Spurs receive some deserved cash for a player who they have nurtured for the previous six seasons and Madrid receive an extremely talented footballer for a cut price due to his contractual situation. Eriksen also gets his dream move and the chance to prove himself in La Liga; it's a win-win, right?