AC Milan have accepted Andriy Shevchenko's transfer request but have warned Chelsea they must break the bank to land the Ukraine striker.

Shevchenko (29) appeared alongside the Italian club's vice-president Adriano Galliani at their offices in Milan at a hastily arranged press conference to announce his decision this afternoon.

Shevchenko said: "I am leaving for family reasons. I want to thank the club for everything it's given to me. There's no problems regarding my relationship with anyone in the club or any financial problems."

Galliani, in day-to-day control of the club owned by former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, said: "It's a victory of the English language over the Italian language."

That was apparently a reference to Shevchenko's American wife who reportedly wants a move to England.

"I've tried to convince him to stay, even one minute prior to the press conference," continued Galliani.

"This is certainly the most painful divorce since I have been at Milan and from now on we will begin negotiations with Chelsea and it will not be easy."

Shevchenko had been offered a contract extension until 2011 by the Serie A giants.  Chelsea, though, have long been admirers, with chief executive Peter Kenyon earlier this week admitting he was still hopeful of landing the marksman.