Both Real Madrid and Manchester United need to make signings in the upcoming January transfer window but for very different reasons. Los Blancos have enjoyed a great season till now. They topped their Champions League group and are sitting atop the La Liga table as well. Things have been pretty much the opposite for Erik ten Hag's side.
They finished bottom of what should have been a relatively simple Champions League group. They also have been very inconsistent in the Premier League and are out of the League Cup as well. So, one would expect the club to strengthen in January in order to save their season.
One area where both Manchester United and Real Madrid need to make additions is centre-back. And it looks like the two clubs have a common transfer target.
As reported by Fichajes, Manchester United are stepping up their efforts to sign Giorgio Scalvini in a strategy to move ahead of Real Madrid in the race for the centre-back. Atalanta have made it clear that they will only accept a significant transfer offer, estimated at around €50 million.
Manchester United push to sign €50 million Real Madrid target
Scalvini has emerged as one of the best centre-backs in Serie A in recent times. The 20-year-old has been a regular feature for the Italian national team lately as well.
Real Madrid have been left short of options at centre-back, with both Eder Militao and David Alaba out injured for the foreseeable future. Someone like Scalvini could be an excellent long-term signing for the club.
It is hard to see Real Madrid shell out a €50 million transfer fee to sign a centre-back in the middle of the season though. It is much more likely that they will look for a short-term solution before reassessing the situation in the summer.