Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a part-exchange deal with Chelsea for Ricardo Carvalho.
The Bernabeu club need to add a defender to their ranks after Brazilian Pepe was ruled out for six months with ligament damage in his knee, and Portuguese international Carvalho has been targeted as a quick fix for the Spanish giants.
The reports in the Daily Mail suggest that van Nistelrooy is ready to be used as a bargaining chip by the La Liga side, with the former PSV and Manchester United striker keen to leave Spain in a bid to secure his place at the World Cup with Holland.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has long been an admirer of Chelsea centre back Carvalho, keen to bring him to the club in 2004 before Jose Mourinho splashed out for the player to follow him to Stamford Bridge from Porto.
A major stumbling block for Real is the fact that Carvalho has forced his way back into the Blues' starting XI alongside England captain John Terry. The 31-year-old was ready to exit the club in the summer, but that situation is likely to have changed with the defender having a more influential role in the side.
Madrid are pinning their hopes on the Blues being short of strikers in January, with Didier Drogba and Co leaving for the African Cup of Nations. Carlo Ancelotti has insisted the club will not buy in the New Year, but with van Nistelrooy being offered for free, it might be an offer to good to refuse for the Italian boss.
