MADRID, July 3 (Reuters) - Spanish champions Real Madrid are
trying to sign Roma centre-back Cristian Chivu and off-load
Brazilian midfielder Emerson and Italy striker Antonio Cassano,
according to club president Ramon Calderon.
"Chivu is a centre-back we like, he's left footed and can
also play at full-back, but for us to sign him Roma have to want
to sell him," Calderon told radio station Cadena Ser on Tuesday.
The Romanian international has been linked with moves to
Inter Milan and Barcelona, but the Catalans are now reported to
be targeting Real Zaragoza's Argentine centre-back Diego Milito
to strengthen their defence.
The Real Madrid chief said Emerson, who joined Real from
Juventus for a reported 14 million euros last season, could
leave the club together with another former Roma player Cassano.
"It looks like Emerson and Cassano won't continue at the
club," said Calderon.
"Cassano has had an unsustainable relationship with the club
for the last couple of months and although there is nothing
definite about Emerson if he does leave it will be down to a
technical decision."
Calderon confirmed the club's interest in signing either
Chelsea winger Arjen Robben or Olympique Lyon's French
international Florent Malouda, but said that Germany defender
Christoph Metzelder would be the first player to arrive at the
Bernabeu.
"We like Robben and Malouda, but both play in the same
position and only one of them can come," he said. "Metzelder is
certain to be the first player to sign. He is very tall and will
give us extra quality at the back."
Calderon added that the club wanted Bernd Schuster to take
charge of the team in place of Fabio Capello who was sacked last
week, but he insisted they would not negotiate with the German
until he freed himself from his present contract with Getafe.