AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has made direct contact with Real Madrid counterpart Ramon Calderon over the availability of Sergio Ramos.

Sport says Berlusconi has been encouraged by the lack of progress Real have made over new contract talks with Ramos' minders and is keen to bring the Spain star to the San Siro next summer.

Berlusconi is close to Calderon and knows Milan intermediaries have been contacted by Ramos representatives as the player's frustration with his contract situation threatens to boil over.

Milan are willing to sell one of their stars - Kaka or Andrea Pirlo - to fund the deal for Ramos, so setting up the prospect of a big-name swap between the two clubs.