While their manager is busy complaining about the Premier League not giving his team a break in the fixture list, Manchester United are also trying to step up the efforts to bring in a player, making official contract with Real Madrid for Mesut Ozil and Luka Modric, hoping to sign one of the two.
David Moyes is complaining, but he’s also promising that there will be a signing by the end of August. With not central midfielder willing to arrive or United simply missing out on their transfer targets, it seems that all the rumors around the interest in Real Madrid players is becoming more than that, as ESPN are reporting that contact has been made with the Spanish giants over the availability of both Ozil and Modric, although United will sign only one of them, if any.
One of the things United are counting on is Real Madrid not giving up the whole Gareth Bale pursuit. It’s unclear if Real Madrid actually have the funds to make such a huge bid (around €100 million or maybe more), and if they don’t, as many in England assume, they’re going to have to lighten the financial load by selling a player or two while getting rid of a major salary.
United need a central midfielder which means Luka Modric, who might not be as good as Ozil but is a bit more versatile, not to mention accustomed to life in the Premier League, might be their first choice.
The Croatian midfielder didn’t have a dreamy debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu, usually finding himself filling in for injured players or a starter in less significant matches, but he still played in 53 matches last season for the club, scoring 4 goals (including a brilliant one against Manchester United) and adding 9 assists. He cost £26.4 million last season, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Real looking for a similar price and possibly a little higher.
Ozil is a different case, as it’s hard to see any reason for Real Madrid to sell him. He’s been one of the top performers in the Spanish La Liga over the last three seasons, including 9 goals and 16 assists in league play last season. However, the crowded midfield might have shaken up both him and the club’s need for him (Especially because of Isco and for the reason people believe the two can’t co-exist in the same lineup).
Ozil doesn’t fit the central midfield need, but when a player of his quality becomes available, it’s hard to say no. However, Real Madrid won’t sell him for anything less than £40 million, which probably makes him the second option for United.