From exploring to unveiling the stadium, Real Madrid and Barcelona are only seven steps away to seal the deal.
The two giants of world football, known for their big bucks, have come up with the perfect formula to achieve their top goals.
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Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid have started courting the club’s next superstarsPhoto credit: Reuters
Erling Haaland has been linked to Real MadridPhoto credit: Rex
And although finances may be tight after the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the La Liga teams are already planning for the next season.
We are in no way suggesting that either club cut back as it would violate Fifa rules.
But Real and Barca know the main men they want with Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Aguero associated with movements.
This is how they start this process.
STEP 1: Identify the target
This is the tough part that requires a global scouting network, hours of player identification, notes and analysis.
The player has to take a position of need, play with a certain style and ideally fit the club’s philosophy.
But once the two Spanish giants have achieved their goals, it is very difficult to resist the lure of the Camp Nou or the Bernabeu.
Lionel Messi’s Argentine team-mate Sergio Aguero is linked to BarcelonaPhoto credit: Rex
Kylian Mbappe is said to be a target for both Real Madrid and BarcelonaImage credit: AP
In recent years, after the Boy Scouts did their homework and found their destination, they rarely got frustrated.
STEP 2: Align Legends
The next part of the chase is about making the player feel wanted, like the move is the best thing that could happen in their career.
Take Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barca in 2018 as an example.
Was there a former teammate in the current Barca squad who can tell the player how good it is at the Nou camp? Yes, Luis Suarez.
And in Madrid there have been attempts in the past to attract the top talent to the club.
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Cristiano Ronaldo sent Marcus Rashford a signed Real Madrid shirtPhoto credit: Instagram @marcusrashford
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Before Ronaldo’s move to Juventus, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner tried to lure the Man United youngsterCredit: AFP or Licensor
While still at the Bernabeu, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo signed a Real Madrid jersey and sent it to Manchester United star Marcus Rashford.
“Keep it up,” he wrote. “And come and do it here,” was the suggestion.
STEP 3: Get in his ear
Now comes the real graft.
Does the current harvest have a former teammate or compatriot able to pull out the charm and tell the target how good life is in Spain, how lush the grass is on that side of the fence?
Madrid had exactly this man when it came to bringing Hazard into the club.
“It would be nice, of course,” Agent Thibaut Courtois told VTM Niews as he discussed his former teammate and Belgian compatriot’s chances of moving to Madrid before swapping Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu.
“Eden is a top player and my buddy too. If he comes here it would be fun but he has to make his choice.”
The seed had been planted. The two would play together next summer.
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Real Madrid had their own agent in Thibaut Courtois to bring in Eden HazardCredit: AFP or Licensor
STEP 4: Offensively low first bid
This is where fantasy becomes reality.
It’s easy to cover up gossip and rumors, but a correct bid sends a message to the player that their newfound dream is possible.
Barca’s first offer for Coutinho was £ 72m and they knew there was no chance of bagging the brilliant Brazilian at the price.
But it was all part of a plan to make sure Coutinho thought about moving in the coming days, weeks, and months.
The best scenario is that the player is tempted to send a transfer request before the next available window.
STEP 5: Uncomfortable photo opportunity
Arsenal fans will know all about it.
If you are a Barcelona player you MUST always have a spare shirt with you.
Especially during the World Cup parades.
ESPECIALLY if the player is unwilling to join in the near future.
We saw it with Cesc Fabregas in 2010, a year before he moved to Camp Nou, when Carles Puyol forced a Barca shirt over the Arsenal man’s head.
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Spanish teammates donned a Barcelona shirt to Cesc Fabregas while they were still playing for ArsenalPhoto credit: Reuters
STEP 6: Catalan press (and sponsors) on board
For Barca, it’s all about AS and sport, while for Madrid, Marca is key.
These newspapers have long been the go-to for news about the two clubs.
And when they want a story out there, they usually end up in the local newspapers first.
Check out their websites now and see how many stories there are about Real and Barça goals.
It could be about how much money they make, how long the contract is, what role they can expect, or how the locker room looks forward to welcoming him.
STEP 7: Inevitable Revelation
Look away from fans of Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool now because the end is inevitable.
This is where Real and Barca get their man.
We saw it with Fabregas and Coutinho.
It may take longer than expected, but like the rich kids on Instagram, these guys always get what they want.
Will Haaland swap Dortmund’s yellow and black for Los Blancos’ white?Photo credit: Getty
