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They are football’s White Shadow. The club that does not understand the meaning of the word ‘No’. Who do whatever it takes to get their man.

From Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas in the 1950s, through persuading Luis Figo to leave Barcelona at the beginning of Real Madrid’s ‘Galactico’ era, which saw Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham all seduced to move to the Spanish capital.

In recent years, it has been the same story.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez all ending up at the ‘White House’.

Now it seems Europe’s latest talent is on the Madrid agenda.

And history tells us even Liverpool may prove powerless to keep Raheem Sterling at Anfield.

As Real’s interest in bringing Sterling to the Bernabeu emerged on Tuesday night, a familiar pattern was starting to emerge.

First, information is leaked.

Then, current Real players, when asked to comment, suggest the target would be perfect for the Bernabeu.

Drip by drip.

Real Madrid superstar signings:

Mentions of Real’s status, their financial power and history. Followed by the end game. The formal bid miles under the player’s true value, behind-the-scenes contact with agents, agitation and finally a signature and presentation.

Of course Madrid’s pursuit of Sterling may not end with flashlights in a Bernabeu suite.

Liverpool’s resolve, stiffened by the wrangle which eventually cost them Luis Suarez, will be huge. Sterling has shown no signs of wanting to leave the Reds.

But Real are remorseless.

In Florentino Perez, they have a president who knows the dark arts. And while the past does not determine the future, it often signposts how events materialise.

Perez showed his hand for the first time in 2000.

When he promised in his election campaign that he would bring Figo with him, it was met with derision. By the time the summer was out, Barcelona fans were planning their ‘pig’s head’ protest for the Portuguese winger.

Perez was forced out after six years in 2006. But when he returned three years later, he had honed his tactics.

Real Madrid win their 10th European Cup:

For two seasons, Real coveted Ronaldo, despite his pledges of allegiance to Manchester United. But within a fortnight of his second coronation, at which he suggested, “It would be good if he came to Real”, Perez not only broke the world transfer record to land Kaka, he smashed it again for the Portuguese superstar.

Sometimes, they can be held at bay. But not for ever. Ask Daniel Levy.

The Tottenham chairman could argue that he got the maximum for Modric and Bale. But he still sold them both.

Brendan Rodgers, bruised this summer by Suarez, will know how Andre Villas-Boas felt in 2013.

Keeping Real at bay over Sterling will be an even greater challenge.

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