AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has said he will consider
offers for Andrea Pirlo after being stunned by the size of the
Italy midfielder's salary.
Berlusconi had previously said no more big names would leave the
San Siro after they sold Brazil playmaker Kaka to Real Madrid for
£56m earlier this month but the Rossoneri chief has had a
change of heart.
"If there's an offer, it should be considered," he told La
Gazzetta dello Sport. "We'll see. I was the first to say that
he must stay, but then they showed me the sums (for his
salary)."
Chelsea are leading the race to sign the 30-year-old, who is
thought to earn almost £6m a season, with former Milan coach Carlo
Ancelotti keen to be reunited with the World Cup winner at Stamford
Bridge.
Pirlo has a contract that runs through to 2012 and Milan are
reportedly asking for £20m to part with the midfielder.
Meanwhile, Andriy Shevchenko wants to honour his contract with
Chelsea and will report for pre-season training with the Blues on
July 9.
The Ukraine forward, who spent last season on loan at Milan, has
one year left on his contract and intends to see it out.
"On July 9 I will join Chelsea in pre-season training,"
Shevchenko told Corriere dello Sport. "Then we will see
what happens."
The 32-year-old hopes the arrival of Ancelotti at Chelsea will
allow him to prove his worth. "I have spoken to the coach who has
given me an appointment for pre-season training," he said.
"I have one year left on my contract with Chelsea and I intend
to respect it and honour it in the best possible way."
Shevchenko's second spell at Milan proved unsuccessful with the
striker scoring twice in nine starts for the Rossoneri last
term.
Serie A club Roma are reportedly keen to acquire Shevchenko's
services but the player insists his priority is to stay at
Chelsea.
"If there was a concrete offer then I would evaluate it together
with Chelsea," said Shevchenko.
"If it will not be possible to continue my career at Chelsea
then I will look at other options.
"I consider (Roma coach Luciano) Spalletti a great coach,
serious and prepared.
"He is able to bring out the best of his players.
"When I met him there was a good feeling between us."