Real Madrid target agrees Man United deal – announcement expected in coming weeks

General view inside the Real Madrid stadium before the match.

REUTERS/Sergio Perez

Real Madrid are expected to prioritise strengthening their attack in the summer, with Carlo Ancelotti’s reliance on Karim Benzema not resulting in the same success as last season.

Los Blancos opted to not make any additions to their frontline after missing out on Kylian Mbappe last summer. However, their rivals Barcelona showed urgency in the transfer window, signing Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in big-money moves. Xavi’s men are now eight points clear at the top of the La Liga table.

Real signed Endrick from Palmeiras in December, but the Brazilian forward will only move to the Spanish capital in July 2024. Accordingly, a new attacking signing to support the likes of Vinicius Junior and Benzema going forward remains high on the club’s wishlist.

The Spanish giants are understood to be monitoring Alejandro Garnacho’s situation, whose current deal at Manchester United is set to expire in the summer of 2024. Although the Red Devils have the option of triggering a 12-month extension.

However, it appears Real will be forced to look elsewhere, as Garnacho – a former Atletico Madrid talent – is set to sign a new deal at Old Trafford.

The Argentine has reached an agreement in principle to sign a new five-year contract, ESPN have reported.

It is added that all that remains to be finalised before the terms can be made official are some aspects relating to the player’s image rights. An announcement could follow in the coming weeks.

United received a takeover bid from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani last week. Interestingly, a potential change in ownership might put the Red Devils in the race for Mbappe, who is still admired at the Santiago Bernabeu.