Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Christian Pulisic, who is also being heavily linked with a summer move to Manchester United.
According to a report by Spanish publication Don Balon, Real Madrid are eyeing Christian Pulisic as a summer replacement for Gareth Bale, whose future at the Bernabeu is highly uncertain. Manchester United are also interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund teenage prodigy.
Pulisic is one of the most exciting young prospects in world football at the present moment, having broken into the Borussia Dortmund first-team at the nascent age of 17. Since then, the player has cemented his stature as a regular for Die Schwarzgelben and is now a key member of the side.
His output though, arguably needs to be improved, with Pulisic only managing four goals and three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this season. But, the fact that he is still in his teens provides a major cause for optimism to his suitors, with Real Madrid and Manchester United the leading clubs in his pursuit.
At Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho’s need for a pacy outlet on the right flank has not been solved by the arrival of Alexis Sanchez. Neither Anthony Martial nor Marcus Rashford have managed to be effective on the right wing either, meaning Juan Mata has been the only player who has ended up being an option for the Manchester United boss.
Pulisic is, thus, a viable target for Manchester United, with the teenager also a possible option to play through the middle. But, the Red Devils now face stiff competition from Real Madrid in pursuit of the player.
The 2017-18 season has been disastrous for Zinedine Zidane & co., at least on the domestic front, with Los Blancos 15 points behind bitter rivals Barcelona on the La Liga table. With practically no chance of winning the league title, Champions League remains the only major trophy that Real Madrid can win this season.
Zidane though, is already starting to lay in the plans to rebuild his squad in the summer, with attack a priority. The Real Madrid front men have struggled to muster up the required numbers, and a few big name players are reportedly set to be on the chopping block.
One such marquee name is Gareth Bale, whose time at the Bernabeu appears to be coming to an end, with Manchester United coincidentally one of his suitors. The player to replace him on the right flank could be Pulisic, with the player emerging as a potential low-money replacement for Real Madrid.
Los Blancos also seem to have a distinctive advantage over Manchester United in pursuit of the 19-year-old, who would favour a move to the Spanish capital over Old Trafford. The Red Devils will, therefore, have to up their game in order to land Pulisic, lest they risk losing him to Real Madrid, whose emergence could leave them looking for an alternative.
