Shevchenko will leave Milan - but at a price
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 Via Turati in
downtown 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's goals helped Milan stay in the race for the Scudetto
in the recently-completed season - they ultimately finished second
behind Juventus - but was reportedly at odds with his coach, Carlo
Ancelotti, on several occasions.
Chelsea, who also signed Germany captain Michael Ballack earlier in
May, have been linked with the striker ever since the acquisition
of the club by Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
Milan signed Shevchenko to a contract extension last year, which
tied him to the Rossoneri until June 2009, after speculation
Chelsea were about to make an approach.
Shevchenko, who will captain Ukraine at the World Cup this summer
in Germany, turns 30 in September.
He joined Milan from Dynamo Kiev in 1999.
there seems to be double standards when dealing with chelsea, every
team will hold chelsea to ransom over a player..
