Real Madrid president rocks Italy with Cassano move

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is ready to make a major play for AS Roma striker Antonio Cassano.

Perez is set to meet with Cassano's agent, Beppe Bozzo, in the coming days as he prepares a serious bid for the striker in January.

Cassano is refusing to sign a new deal with Roma and Italian clubs had planned to wait until the New Year before offering him a pre-contract. However, Perez's aggressive move this week has rocked the likes of Juventus and Inter Milan.

Both Serie A giants could be forced to join Real in an auction for Cassano, who is wanted by the Spanish giants as cover for the injury-prone Ronaldo.