Christian Eriksen’s agent says the Spurs playmaker did not push for a transfer 12 months ago despite three big-money offers - but the situation has changed.
Eriksen, currently on international duty with Denmark, said on Wednesday morning that he wants to “try something new”.
The 27-year-old has just one year left on his contract with Tottenham and talks over an improvement on his £70,000-a-week deal have stalled.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is keen to take him to the Spanish capital, and discussed a potential transfer with Daniel Levy over dinner at Madrid City Hall on Friday night - ahead of the Champions League Final.
But Levy made clear that handing Eriksen a new contract was a priority, and that Spurs do not want to sell.
Eriksen’s declaration however shows that he has his heart set on a switch to Spain.
He told Ekstra Bladet: "I feel that I am a place in my career where I might want to try something new.
"I have the wildest and deepest respect for everything that has happened in Tottenham, nor will it be negative. But I have also said that I would like to try something new."
And his agent, Martin Schoots, has told Standard Sport that he hopes a compromise can be reached, after Eriksen didn’t rock the boat last year when three clubs - one of whom is believed to have been Manchester United - came calling.
“Last season there were three clubs, two English and one foreign, interested in paying a huge amount to Spurs.
“For the club it was then a no-go area and for Christian not a must-have. I have the impression we are in a new situation now.”
Perez remains hopeful of cutting a deal to land Eriksen, as he and coach Zinedine Zidane plot a Madrid overhaul.
Eriksen is Perez's No.1 target to strengthen midfield, despite Zidane preferring United's Paul Pogba.
Madrid chiefs believe that Levy’s stance is a way of driving up the price - with Madrid said to be unwilling to go above £80million - because he knows he’s fighting a losing battle.
Mirror Football understands Mauricio Pochettino has lined up Giovani Lo Celso as a replacement, while Spurs are also monitoring Leicester ’s James Maddison.
