Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has confirmed the club want to sign Fabio Cannavaro and is not concerned by the defender's advancing years.
Cannavaro collected his 100th cap for Italy on Sunday as he captained his country to World Cup final success over France.
His reward is likely to be a move to Real, particularly as current club Juventus are staring at relegation from Serie A for their role in Italy's match-fixing scandal.
The influential centre half turns 33 in September, but Mijatovic feels new coach Fabio Capello is looking to build a winning team immediately and players of Cannavaro's calibre are imperative to that objective.
"I have said that age is secondary in modern football," Mijatovic told As. "I value that in these past two years, Cannavaro has been decisive in Juve winning two scudettos and Italy conquering the World Cup.
"If you watched his contribution in these last two seasons, you would want him here until he is 40-years-old.
"His philosophy, his attitude and his desire turn him into a unique defender. We are going to do all that is possible to have him with us."
Cannavaro's Juventus colleagues Gianluca Zambrotta (29) and Emerson (30) are also wanted by Real, with Mijatovic shrugging off concerns about the age of the club's targets.
He added: "What is it to be a veteran? There are players of 24 who do not know how to compete.
"I prefer a 30-year-old player who can be with us for two years and make us great. Madrid cannot waste time, unfortunately.
"This is the experienced philosophy at this moment. After three bad years without winning anything, it is necessary to build a team to win immediately, without any more delays."
Mijatovic does not feel Real will be able to land the Juventus trio on the cheap, even if the current Serie A champions are demoted for their part in the scandal.
"It is not that simple," he continued. "They have a clause which forces us to compensate Juventus.
"The advantage is that all of them want to come to Madrid and that facilitates everything, but they will not be loans.
"We only love players to be our property, as has marked our history."
Real are also chasing Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea winger Arjen Robben and Milan playmaker Kaka, who new president Ramon Calderon promised to sign as part of his election manifesto.
Mijatovic is determined to fulfil Calderon's pledge and is hoping for some movement on the transfers in the coming days.
"It is clear that we are fighting to bring in all three. As of Thursday, I am going away to meet with the respective clubs to demonstrate to our partners we are people of our word, which has already been clear with (Fabio) Capello.
"It is clear that (signing Kaka - with Milan complaining about Real's tactics) it is not easy, but of course it is a possibility.
"I will speak with Milan, without a doubt, and it is clear that it is possible to sign Kaka.
"We will respect the norms of Fifa. I never surrender in football. In addition, there is no haste. The summer will be long and the players are now on holiday."
Skysports
Cannavaro collected his 100th cap for Italy on Sunday as he captained his country to World Cup final success over France.
His reward is likely to be a move to Real, particularly as current club Juventus are staring at relegation from Serie A for their role in Italy's match-fixing scandal.
The influential centre half turns 33 in September, but Mijatovic feels new coach Fabio Capello is looking to build a winning team immediately and players of Cannavaro's calibre are imperative to that objective.
"I have said that age is secondary in modern football," Mijatovic told As. "I value that in these past two years, Cannavaro has been decisive in Juve winning two scudettos and Italy conquering the World Cup.
"If you watched his contribution in these last two seasons, you would want him here until he is 40-years-old.
"His philosophy, his attitude and his desire turn him into a unique defender. We are going to do all that is possible to have him with us."
Cannavaro's Juventus colleagues Gianluca Zambrotta (29) and Emerson (30) are also wanted by Real, with Mijatovic shrugging off concerns about the age of the club's targets.
He added: "What is it to be a veteran? There are players of 24 who do not know how to compete.
"I prefer a 30-year-old player who can be with us for two years and make us great. Madrid cannot waste time, unfortunately.
"This is the experienced philosophy at this moment. After three bad years without winning anything, it is necessary to build a team to win immediately, without any more delays."
Mijatovic does not feel Real will be able to land the Juventus trio on the cheap, even if the current Serie A champions are demoted for their part in the scandal.
"It is not that simple," he continued. "They have a clause which forces us to compensate Juventus.
"The advantage is that all of them want to come to Madrid and that facilitates everything, but they will not be loans.
"We only love players to be our property, as has marked our history."
Real are also chasing Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea winger Arjen Robben and Milan playmaker Kaka, who new president Ramon Calderon promised to sign as part of his election manifesto.
Mijatovic is determined to fulfil Calderon's pledge and is hoping for some movement on the transfers in the coming days.
"It is clear that we are fighting to bring in all three. As of Thursday, I am going away to meet with the respective clubs to demonstrate to our partners we are people of our word, which has already been clear with (Fabio) Capello.
"It is clear that (signing Kaka - with Milan complaining about Real's tactics) it is not easy, but of course it is a possibility.
"I will speak with Milan, without a doubt, and it is clear that it is possible to sign Kaka.
"We will respect the norms of Fifa. I never surrender in football. In addition, there is no haste. The summer will be long and the players are now on holiday."
Skysports
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