Source: Daily_Mail
Real target Carvalho with Van Nistelrooy offered shock swap in Chelsea deal
Real Madrid are ready to launch a January bid for Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho.[LNB]The Spanish giants are desperate to strengthen after being rocked by injury to defender Pepe, who faces six months out with ruptured ligament in his right knee.[LNB]Madrid would be willing to offer Ruud van Nistelrooy in part-exchange, allowing the former Manchester United striker to provide cover at Stamford Bridge while Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.[LNB] Centre of attention: Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho lines up against Everton[LNB]Exit? Ruud van Nistelrooy[LNB]Bernabeu president Florentino Perez is an admirer of Carvalho and tried to sign him from Porto in 2004 before Chelsea blew them out of the water with a bid close to £20million.[LNB]The 31-year-old was prepared to leave Chelsea in the summer after a disappointing injury-interrupted season, but he has since established himself as John Terry's first-choice central defensive partner under Carlo Ancelotti.[LNB]However, Madrid are prepared to test the water after sporting director Jorge Valdano admitted the club were looking at potential signings.[LNB]'We appreciate that we have an opportunity to expand our staff inJanuary in order to make the squad more comfortable and we willdiscuss this,' he said. [LNB]'We cannot rule it out but first we will have to look at the market.[LNB]'Pepe is irreplaceable. We have the assurance that in him we have a world class player and there is no one like him.'[LNB] Long lay-off: Pepe injured his knee against Valencia[LNB]The Spaniards have also tracked Everton's 18-year-old utility man Jack Rodwell, but they are likely to plump for a more experienced defender this winter. [LNB]Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic has also been linked, while Arsenal's Gael Clichy is another on the radar if Madrid decide to strengthen at full back rather than centrally.[LNB] Cech reminds jeering Chelsea fans: We've beaten the big boys this seasonChelsea 3 Everton 3: Boo boys send Ancelotti back to training fieldThe Real rejects (yours for £45m): Who's on offer at the Bernabeu...Check out Real Madrid's progress in our Stats ZoneCHELSEA FC
