Defender deal on cards

Real may land defender Alessandro Nesta in the summer if Lazio decide to sign Parma's Fabio Cannavaro, according to reports.

Spanish news agency EFE have reported that Lazio are keen to swipe Cannavaro from under the noses of their rivals Roma, and should they pip their neighbours to the post then Nesta would be free to leave for Spain.

Rumours are circulating that Nesta has already bought a house in the Spanish capital, adding to speculation that Real's Florentino Perez has convinced him to join the Merengues for next season.

Perez has Nesta and Arsenal's Patrick Vieira on his hitlist for next summer's squad revamp - Nesta would be the ideal answer to the problems the Spanish champions have been suffering in defence this season.

Also in the hunt are Juventus and Inter Milan - both of whom are offering Lazio colossal sums for the talented Italian international.

Juve are believed to be willing to offer Uruguayan defender Paolo Montero to Real to put them off Nesta's trail.