Real Madrid on Wednesday placed a formal bid for Rome's Romanian defender Christian Chivu, one of the biggest targets on the Italian transfer market.
Real said it was prepared to fork out 18 million euros for the 27-year-old defender, who joined Roma in 2003.
Market sources said it was now up to Chivu to agree personal terms with the Spanish giants.
Chivu had reportedly previously reached a tentative agreement with Italian champions Inter.
But Inter pulled out of the deal after news of the Real bid broke.
Chivu, the captain of Romania's national team, has scored eight goals in 102 appearances for Roma, most of them with his trademark left-foot free kicks.
He has scored three times in his 50 Romania matches.
Chivu was a key part of Roma's drive last season to second place in Serie A and the European Champions League semi-finals.
But his relationship with coach Luciano Spalletti cooled after Spalletti failed to contact him to discuss his future.
The former Ajax player has already been replaced by Brazil defender Juan, who joined Roma from Bayer Leverkusen last month.
