Soccer

Record Kaka move set to conclude on Monday

Soccer: There could be a new world record transfer deal in place by Monday as AC Milan and Kaka near a decision on his proposed…

Thu Jun 04 2009 - 01:00

Soccer:There could be a new world record transfer deal in place by Monday as AC Milan and Kaka near a decision on his proposed €64million move to Real Madrid.

With Chelsea moving to rule themselves out of the running for the Brazil international, Madrid are the only bidders left and Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi said last night the situation would be resolved after the weekend.

Chelsea's withdrawal should make the decision more straightforward, although Berlusconi seemed to suggest Kaka's mind was already made up during an appearance on state television station Rai.

"I will meet Kaka on Monday and then I'll tell you," Berlusconi said. "It is always the players who decide on their future, who have to decide how to pursue their career," he added.

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"I did all I could but in the end he took his decision."

Reports last night suggested that Chelsea had tabled a huge bid worth €84million, but the club denied making any offer.

A statement on the club's official website read: "We have never made an offer to AC Milan for Kaka and therefore not one at this extraordinary level.

"As a consequence we have not discussed a salary with the player either. Any reports to the contrary are totally untrue."

Kaka's future has been in question since January, when Manchester City launched an audacious €114million bid to sign him.

Kaka was a bit-part player in Brazil's World Cup winning squad in 2002 but has blossomed ever since.

He joined Milan from Sao Paulo back in 2003 for a fee of around €8.5million and won the Serie A title in his first season at the club.

He was a member of the Milan team that beat Liverpool in the Champions League final in 2007, while also winning the Fifa World Player of the Year award and the Ballon d'Or in that year.

A devout Christian, Kaka gained Italian citizenship in 2007 and has repeatedly stated his desire to stay in Milan.

An exasperated Kaka told Gazetto dello Sport on Tuesday: "I'll say it for the last time. The last time. I don't want to leave Milan.

"To the millions of Milan supporters, I say that I have made my choice. I have said I want to stay. Leave me in peace, please."

However, the Rossoneri's willingness to sell the Brazil star to City in the winter was reported to have unsettled him and opened the door to a possible future transfer.