Real Madrid say they are close to signing Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro from Juventus.

The Spanish side named former Juve boss Fabio Capello as their new coach last week and now hope to raid the Italian champions for 32-year-old Cannavaro.

Real sports director Pedja Mijatovic told the club's website: "We've made good headway in getting him here and we're going to continue trying hard.

"I'm sure there will be some news in the next few days."

Real are looking to rebuild after three years without a trophy, and Mijatovic believes Cannavaro could provide the winning touch.

"I can appreciate that Cannavaro was a huge reason why Juve won two Scudetti and why Italy won the World Cup," said Mijatovic.

Juventus, who appointed 1998 World Cup winner Didier Deschamps as their new coach on Monday, are currently embroiled in a match-fixing trial and face the threat of relegation from Serie A.

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Looks like first of many.

Wish he'd stay on in Italy .

This man has accomplished everything possible in Italy bar the Champions League, which Juve never looked like going for in his time there. At least you know Real will have a stab at it. I think he is one of the ones that has earned his right to NOT play in the lower leagues. But similarly, yes, its a loss to the Itakian game that he wont be in Serie A next season. Looking forward to seeing him play in Spain though...if this does happpen!

I don't want to see him go, but I can understand him leaving because he is older and had great success on the International level. His value is definately up and he could go anywhere.

I do not however want to see him at Real. They don't really pride on defense and I think without a decent structure in the back his game and command of the back-line might suffer. If he HAS TO LEAVE Serie A and the Italian domestic scene, I'd rather see him join a club that has a history of having pride in their defense and not a club that just signs everyone up and has a bench of superstars whithering away, i.e. Chelsea and Real Madrid.

PLEASE CANNAVARO, stay in Italia.