AC Milan use Cannavaro to unsettle Juventus over Buffon

AC Milan's pursuit of Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro is seen in Turin as a ploy to unsettle Juventus.

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has told directors Adriano Galliani and Ariedo Braida to prise Gigi Buffon from Juve - at any price - and their move for Cannavaro is part of plan to force the Bianconeri to sell the keeper, says Tuttosport.

Milan and Juve had an agreement over Buffon two years ago when Berlusconi agreed to send Christian Abbiati on-loan to Turin to cover the then-injured keeper. But the 'pact' has since fizzled out and the Rossoneri are determined to use every angle they have to satisfy Berlusconi and bring Buffon to the San Siro in the summer.

By making public their pursuit of Cannavaro, Milan are banking on pressure from fans to force Juve into the mix. The Serie A club will then agree to stand aside, if Juve are prepared to open talks over a fee for Buffon.

Earlier this week, Buffon admitted he wouldn't discuss his future with Juve until promotion was secured.