The Blucerchiati confirmed their interest in the player this week, but also noted they needed Real to make sacrifices if the move was to be completed.

The ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’ and Spanish newspaper ‘Marca’ now report that the breakthrough has arrived with an offer to loan the ex-Roma starlet and pay a part of his wages.

Cassano currently earns £2.8m per season, but Sampdoria would only want to pay £1.2m for the one-year loan.

It is believed an agreement can be reached if Cassano agrees to take a pay cut of £338,000 so that he can return to Italy and prove himself with some first team football.

Agent Beppe Bozzo has been the key to these negotiations, pushing both sides to get together and reach a middle ground.

Real Madrid will consider the proposal this weekend and director general of Sampdoria Beppe Marotta is awaiting a call to fly to Spain and seal the deal.

Cassano had also been linked with Serie A sides such as Inter, Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina, Napoli and Palermo, but all of them baulked at the cost of his wages and his reputation as a ‘difficult’ character.