Danish invasion incoming in 3...2...1....
Another newbie Dane showing up to give some input into the Eriksen situation. Although I'm no more a newbie than I've been lurking for a few months, and have been a fan for the best part of 30 years.
I agree with a lot of
Vikingsen
has said. I would add that an overlooked factor in the debate is what it means that he's Danish.
Take Kane as the most comparable of our players right in terms of how sought after, they would be with 18 months on their contracts. Kane is living in his hometown, playing for his childhood club, whereas Eriksen left his country as a teen, so has already been forced out of his comfort zone all of his adult life to realize his ambitions. Kane has a realistic chance for glory with his national team, while Eriksen will need a major miracle for that, so he'll need to earn major trophies at clubs (and by extention likely need huge club success to earn major individual recognition).
Also, for Kane or any other Englishman if you abandon your "own" team for say United, you'll be one in an endless line, while it'll be something special were you to do so as a Dane. Outside of England, there's something iconic about Real and Barca here in Denmark, as I'm experiencing the football community, the press, and the general public. English football as a whole is iconic in Denmark, because it was televised decades before other foreign leagues, but more as a universal thing, just as much about Wolves, Leeds etc as about a few select teams. Although very few as dominant figures in the leagues, there's been an absolute onslaught of Danish players in England. In Spain two of the greatest ever Danish players represented Real and Barca in the late 70's and early 80's, and then there was Michael Laudrup. His fame coincided with Spanish footie coming to Danish television. Seeing a Danish player being such a dominant figure for two such iconic clubs was special to most, and perhaps many thought we'd never see it again, which is something Eriksen will be aware of, despite leaving Denmark at a young age. In many ways, he's carrying the (football) hopes of a nation, but in the national team and with his club team. Those three players (Jensen at Real 70's, Simonsen at Barca 70's/80's and Laudrup) are the only three Danes to represent those two clubs (barring me forgetting someone obvious and excluding few-appearence-players). Oh, and the strange case of Thomas Gravesen being signed by Real. Which is relevant, because Eriksen would have been his early teens (if my quick head maths in corrects) and still in the Denmark at the time. Despite the sense of what the actual fuck are they signing him for, there was a serious case of everyone going nutter butters with some "finally Denmark has another Real Madrid player" euphoria going on here, which Eriksen will have noticed very much. He'll have been too young to experience Laudrup, but any Dane with a football interest will be aware of his legacy.
I'm not advocating that he should go, but there's more to it, than meets the eye, I'd say. He has a shot at becoming the greatest Danish player ever, and might be thinking he'll need to leave us to do so.
Aside from the obvious points of a meeting of minds regarding money, and Eriksen seeing us showing enough ambition and/or intent, then it all comes down to how much the lad values living - continuing to live - a settled life right now versus seeking legacy.
Sorry for the long-winded first post