If you’re an aspiring journalist and want to know how to write good narratives, trust me don’t ask your senior editors – read Spanish newspapers instead.

Imagine, how a Catalan-based newspaper would react to Barcelona’s signing of Andre Gomes, who was a top summer target for Real Madrid It’s like 1-0 to us. Hooray!

A Catalan based newspaper, Sport, has published a story on Real Madrid’s apparent interest in Newcastle United’s French midfielder Moussa Sissoko. Note the tone of the reporting: Madrid president Florentino Perez reacted with “disbelief” about how they missed out on top summer target to their arch rivals!

Los Blancos found it hard to “digest the news” and they’ve shifted their attention quickly to plan C. Plan A was Paul Pogba. The French midfielder has yet to agree to any formal deal but a widespread report suggests he is close to joining his old club Manchester United.

Plan B was about securing a deal for Andre Gomes. Madrid kept on pondering about the size of the bid and transfer fee they need to offer and all that was required was taking an action. Barcelona moved in quickly and hijacked the deal right under Madrid’s noses.

Sissoko is Madrid’s third choice option. The Newcastle midfielder is likely to leave the club this summer and Sport claim that Madrid are preparing a bid in the region of €30-40m to lure him to Bernabeu. Perez would be willing to negotiate with a lower offer but understands it won’t be easy to persuade Rafael Benitez to sell his midfielder on cheap.

The French midfielder has been the linked with a move to top Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool. Earlier this month, French media claimed that Manchester United have had earmarked Sissoko as their plan B option in case they fail to sign Pogba from Juventus.