Sources: Club make move to sign Tottenham big name after Levy drops price tag
Real Madrid have opened lines of communication over a January swoop for Tottenham contract rebel Christian Eriksen, Football Insider understands.
The Spanish giants were keen on signing the Denmark international in the summer but baulked at Spurs' asking price.
A Spanish source has told Football Insider that Real have made preliminary moves through third parties in a bid to steal an early march in the race for Eriksen's signature.
The La Liga club have been encouraged by Eriksen's contract situation and his availability in the winter window for a bargain fee.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was quoting suitors a mammoth £140million for the playmaker at the end of last season as he attempted to put them off.
Eriksen's valuation dropped as the summer went on and he can be prised from north London for less than £50million in the January window.
However, he could decide to sit tight and either agree a pre-contract with an overseas club from 1 January, or wait until his current deal expires next summer and leave on a free.
The 27-year-old is in a strong negotiating position and will know he can command an even higher salary if he is a free agent.
Eriksen has suffered a dip in form at the start of the new campaign and has lost his regular stating place in Mauricio Pochettino's form.
His slump has coincided with a dismal start to the season for Tottenham that has led to growing speculation about Pochettino's position.