Real keen on Chivu, aim to off-load Cassano and Emerson

Real Madrid are trying to sign Roma defender Cristian Chivu and off-load Brazilian midfielder Emerson and Italy striker Antonio Cassano, according to club president Ramon Calderon.

"Chivu is a centre-back we like, he's left footed and can also play at full-back, but for us to sign him Roma have to want to sell him," Calderon said yesterday.

The Romanian international has been linked with moves to Inter and Barcelona, but the Catalans are now reported to be targeting Real Zaragoza's Argentine centre-back Gabriel Milito to strengthen their defence.

The Real Madrid chief said Emerson, who joined Real from Juventus last season, could leave the club together with another former Roma player Cassano.

He confirmed the club's interest in signing either Chelsea winger Arjen Robben or Lyon's French international Florent Malouda, but said that defender Christoph Metzelder would be the first player to arrive at the Bernabeu.

Calderon added that the club wanted Bernd Schuster to take charge of the team in place of Fabio Capello who was sacked last week, but he insisted they would not negotiate with the German until he freed himself from his present contract with Getafe.

Kaka going nowhere, Milan tell Real Madrid

Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka will not be sold to Real Madrid, the European champions said again yesterday. Transfer speculation has linked Kaka with a move to Real despite repeated declarations by Milan that the player is not for sale.

Last month, Milan said Kaka's father had held a meeting with Real Madrid.

"I've asked (Real's sporting director) Predrag Mijatovic to drop this business about Kaka.

"I've told him enough is enough - in a polite way of course," vice-president Adriano Galliani was quoted as saying.