Spurs and Manchester United lead race for Real Madrid star
Published:Manchester United and Tottenham have been placed on high alert after rumours surfaced suggesting Brazilian Marcelo could be set to depart Real Madrid.
The news comes amid reports that Los Blancos are preparing a bid for Sevilla’s highly rated Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno, with manager Carlo Ancelotti evidently keen to build a team of his own making at the Bernabeu.
It could spell the end of the 25-year-old’s seven-year spell in Madrid, despite the defender largely impressing for Los Merengues both this term and throughout his tenure at the club.
Should Marcelo decide to go though, then he is likely to have plenty of suitors, with Spurs and United chief among the clubs keen to capture the former Porto man.
David Moyes has already identified the acquisition of a left-back as a key priority for the Red Devils, with Patrice Evra likely to depart the club this summer and backup Alex Buttner failing to inspire much confidence among the Old Trafford faithful.
With Southampton keen to hold on to youngster Luke Shaw and additional Madrid target Fabio Coentrao potentially taking up a midfield berth at the club, Marcelo could represent the best long-term solution available to United, who are 9/4 to finish in the top four this term.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are eager to recruit a player in the same position with youngster Danny Rose failing to impress and previous incumbent Benoit Assou-Ekotto still out of favour and out on loan at QPR.
Spurs are 7/2 to pip United to a top four finish and whoever claims the final coveted Champions League place could find themselves in pole position to acquire Marcelo, should the Madrid man make himself available for transfer.
But with so much resting on the prospect of European football, if both fail to reach the promised land of the continental competition then the defender could turn his attentions elsewhere.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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