Christian Eriksen wants to leave Tottenham, but is he better off staying put?

Christian Eriksen was poor by his usually high standards during Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Manchester City on Saturday. The Danish midfielder struggled to get into the game -- though, in his defence, it is a challenge for even the very best to make an impact as a visiting player at the Etihad -- and when he did have the opportunity to create or make a difference, he made a mess of it.

There was one instance, late in the second half, when Harry Kane peeled off his marker to run into space on the right flank. Eriksen had the ball at his feet, with the time and space to pick out his teammate and release him for a clear run at goal. But instead, the 27-year-old took too long to make his decision and was dispossessed, allowing City to turn a potentially dangerous situation into an attacking move of their own.

It certainly wasn't the kind of contribution you would expect from a player with designs on a big-money move to Real Madrid or Barcelona. However, having told Spurs that he would not be extending his contract (which runs out next summer) as he wants to seek a new challenge elsewhere, sources have told ESPN FC that the former Ajax playmaker is only interested in moving to those two Spanish giants or, as a third choice, Juventus.

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Eriksen is still a Tottenham player, but his head and heart are set on playing for somebody else. Yet just like Paul Pogba at Manchester United, who is also keen to make the move to Real, Eriksen has discovered that there is not quite the appetite, or financial capability, at the other end to get a deal done.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been unable to state categorically in recent weeks that Eriksen will not be sold before Europe's transfer deadline on Sept. 2. But sources have told ESPN FC that there is a sense of bemusement at Spurs over the midfielder's mindset, because there has been little sign of genuine interest from Real, Barca or Juventus.

Eriksen, it seems, is holding out for a deal that shows little sign of happening. Spurs are prepared to hand him a new contract worth £200,000 a week, which would tie him to the club until his early 30s, but he has shown no interest in even discussing the terms on offer.

When United made a tentative attempt to persuade Eriksen to move to Old Trafford prior to the Premier League transfer deadline earlier this month, they were also given short shrift, with the clear message coming back that only Real, Barca or Juve would be able to persuade him to leave Spurs this summer.

If none of his desired clubs make a last minute move (with Italy's deadline coming even earlier on Aug. 23), Eriksen is probably facing a full season at Spurs unless a high-profile injury at Real, Barca or Juve force them to pursue him in the January transfer window. But what happens next summer, when he becomes a free agent and his "big three" still don't want him?