Manchester United and Chelsea may have to brace themselves for a summer assault from Real Madrid after the Spanish club had their transfer ban suspended upon appeal on Friday.
Both Real and Atletico Madrid were banned from registering new signings for the next two windows by FIFA earlier this month, for breaching rules on the transfers of players aged under 18.
Facing the prospect of not being able to register players until the summer of 2017, the La Liga rivals immediately contested the charge, and have now had the sanction provisionally suspended.
That means that Real can go ahead with their plans for the end of the season, which Spanish newspaper AS claims prioritises moves for United’s David de Gea and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
And Chelsea winger Eden Hazard is also believed to be on Madrid’s radar as they plot an incredible summer spending spree which they hope will help them wrestle dominance back from Barcelona.
Hazard would likely jump at the chance to join Los Blancos after a difficult season at Stamford Bridge which means that the Blues are likely to be without Champions League football for next term.
De Gea appeared to be Bernabeu bound last summer until some deadline day drama involving a fax machine. He has since signed a new contract at Old Trafford, but Madrid’s interest has not ceased.
And Lewandowski is their latest Galactico target following his goalscoring exploits with Bayern. The Pole has 31 goals in 31 games for club and country this season and could replace Karim Benzema.
SEE MORE:
Alexandre Pato squad number: Chelsea’s new signing to take precious jersey at Stamford Bridge
Manchester United & Chelsea target to be rewarded by Tottenham for loyalty
Man United player ratings v Derby: 9/10 Martial pips Rooney & youngster to MOTM