Real Madrid to offer Morientes in deal for Roma's Cassano

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had intermediaries at the San Siro last night to speak with AS Roma about striker Antonio Cassano.

Perez is prepared to offer cash, plus striker Fernando Morientes, in exchange for Cassano when the January market opens and had representatives make contact with Roma director general Franco Baldini last night.

"We haven't decided what we will do with him," said Baldini. "Our hope is to still be able to call on Cassano this season."

"In the past we have been able to mend fences, but this time he has not come back to us after we offered to speak with him about his complaints."

"If Cassano had accepted our decision, he would be back playing with the group."

"At the moment, he has not explained his poor behaviour to us."