Real turn their sights on Arsenal's Fabregas

After being warned off AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka, Spanish champions Real Madrid have set their sights on recruiting Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas ahead of next season.

Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic confirmed Spanish media reports that the 20-year-old Spain international is one of the players the club would like to sign to strengthen their present squad.

"Of course we are interested in Cesc," Mijatovic was quoted as saying in Spanish sports daily Marca on Sunday.

"We've been interested in him for over a year now and we are still interested."

"He is a great player and I expect all the big clubs will be interested."

Together with Kaka and Chelsea winger Arjen Robben, Cesc was one of three players Ramon Calderon pledged to sign when he was elected Real Madrid president last July.

AC Milan have said that Kaka was not for sale under any circumstances, although Calderon has said he hoped the player would push for a move away from the Serie A side.

Robben remains a Chelsea player, but Real have said they hope to sign the Dutchman for next season.