ITALIAN SERIE A:AC MILAN general manager Adriano Galliani claims the club will not replace Kaka if the Brazil playmaker moves to Manchester City. The Rossoneri will have money to burn should the reported €110 million-plus deal go through and speculation has been rife as to who they would bring in.
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien are just a couple of the players being linked to Milan, but Galliani insists there will be no new faces at the San Siro.
“There are no replacements for Kaka, because he is unique,” Galliani said. “Therefore if he leaves we will remain as we are. We don’t need second-class players.
“The club have debts and a good club should know how to settle them on their own, without running to their owners.
“However, the future of Kaka is not already set in stone. We still have to evaluate, think hard and decide.”
The player’s future remains shrouded in doubt, despite the overwhelming support of 65,000 fans and his Milan team-mates last night.
The 2007 World Player of the Year put his hand to his heart as he left the field of play at the end of his side’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Saturday, waving emotionally and applauding the fans who have grown to love him over the past five years.
His team-mates all took turns in hugging him in scenes that could easily be interpreted as a send-off from the Lombardian city.
Kaka now faces an unprecedented test of character in deciding whether to accept City’s millions or stay put.
“The fans showed a great gesture of affection to Kaka,” said Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“I don’t think this was his last game for Milan. I hope he stays because he is an important player for us.”
Yesterday, Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi claimed he would not attempt to obstruct the deal, admitting it would be “very difficult” to force the player to remain with his club in view of the millions being offered by City.
Kaka’s father and advisor Bosco Leite is due to arrive in Italy today to discuss the situation.
Milan’s win over Fiorentina leaves them third in Serie A, six points behind city rivals and leaders Inter, who suffered a stunning 3-1 defeat at Atalanta yesterday to blow the title race wide open.
Striker Sergio Floccari grabbed a superb opener for mid-table Atalanta on 18 minutes and playmaker Cristiano Doni soon extended their lead with a deflected free kick and a powerful header in the first half.
Jose Mourinho’s side barely mustered a shot on target before Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a consolation in injury-time.
Second-placed Juventus cut Inter’s advantage at the top to three points after drawing 1-1 away to Lazio last night, Cristian Ledesma opened the scoring for the Rome side on 25 minutes before Olof Mellberg’s equalizer five minutes later.
