JOSE CHECKS OUT FABIO

Jose Mourinho is reportedly keeping tabs on Real Madrid and Italy central defender Fabio Cannavaro.

The Azzurri's World Cup winning captain has been linked with a move back to former club Juventus, but new coach Claudio Ranieri has dismissed the claims.

However, The People reports that Chelsea boss Mourinho has been alerted to the defender's potential availability after new Madrid coach Bernd Schuster told Cannavaro that he was surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.

The Spanish league champions have added to their defensive options by signing Christoph Metzelder on a free from Borussia Dortmund, and Pepe from Porto for around £19 million.

Agents acting for Newcastle have also reportedly enquired about Cannavaro, who joined Madrid last summer after Juventus were demoted in the 'Calciopoli' investigations into match-fixing.

Chelsea have already signed Tal Ben Haim on a free from Bolton, and are reportedly on the verge of bringing Brazilian centre-half Alex to Stamford Bridge from PSV Eindhoven.

However, Cannavaro would be available on a free, and would obviously provide far more experience than any of the other options available to Mourinho.

Taken From =football365=