Mourinho orders Adriano to lose weight

(GETTY IMAGES)

Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho has ordered troubled striker Adriano to lose weight if he is serious about staying with the Italian champions.

The controversial Brazilian returned to the first-team fold after his latest fall-out with Mourinho in Tuesday's 3-1 Coppa Italia win over Genoa in which he scored.

But Mourinho has warned the South American that he must shed some additional kilos if he wants to stay at the San Siro.

"Recently he has been training consistently and not arriving late," said the Portuguese coach.

"It's clear that he is three or four kilos overweight and he lacks some explosiveness and confidence, but if he keeps working as he has been then that's okay with me."

Meanwhile, Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro is considering returning to Italy to rejoin Napoli.

Cannavaro, 35, will be a free agent at the end of the season following three years in Spain and is giving serious consideration to returning to his first and hometown club.

The Italy captain spent three years in the first team at Napoli before moving on to Parma, Internazionale, Juventus and then Real in 2006.

"We're not closing the door on Napoli," said agent Gaetano Fedele. "The prospects are good, but we have to look at everything calmly.

"I'll have a meeting with Real Madrid at the end of January or the beginning of February to talk about a possible renewal.

"What I don't have any doubt about is that Fabio will end the season with Real Madrid."

Juventus are interested in signing Benedikt Howedes, according to the agent of the Schalke defender.

The 20-year-old rising star is regarded as one of the brightest defensive talents in the Bundesliga and his form this season has alerted Serie A giants Juventus.

However, agent Volker Struth has suggested his client is happy at Schalke where he recently penned a contract extension until 2014 after turning down the overtures of Hoffenheim.

"Benny did not extend his contract with Schalke for nothing," continued Struth. "His signature is a clear identification with this club.

"Had a transfer been necessary, then he would have only gone to Hoffenheim."

Meanwhile, AC Milan are reported to have agreed a deal to sign Brazilian defender Felipe Mattioni.

The 20-year-old Gremio full-back is now due to undergo a medical at the club's Milanello training base before being officially unveiled as the Rossoneri's latest signing.

"Felipe is already in Italy and will undergo a medical on Friday," said Mattioni's agent Mino Raiola.

"He has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. He has Italian citizenship and can play immediately."