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.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.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. Centre of attention: Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho lines up against EvertonExit? Ruud van NistelrooyBernabeu 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.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.However, Madrid are prepared to test the water after sporting director Jorge Valdano admitted the club were looking at potential signings.'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. 'We cannot rule it out but first we will have to look at the market.'Pepe is irreplaceable. We have the assurance that in him we have a world class player and there is no one like him.' Long lay-off: Pepe injured his knee against ValenciaThe 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. 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. 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

Source: Daily_Mail