Kaka would prefer to join Real Madrid.
Roman Abramovich has made a personal attempt to bring
Kaká to Chelsea as Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing. The Times
understands that Abramovich met Kaká’s father and agent, Bosco
Leite, in Milan last week after sealing the capture of Ancelotti,
who will be announced as the club’s new manager.
Abramovich is prepared to shatter the world transfer record to
secure Kaká and would have no problem concluding a deal with AC
Milan, who are resigned to his departure this summer, but coming to
an agreement with the player’s representatives is proving more
difficult.
The Chelsea owner was told by Leite that Kaká would prefer to
join Real Madrid, who confirmed last night that Florentino Pérez
has returned to the club as president after the three other
candidates for the post pulled out. Real could announce the
Brazilian’s £60 million transfer this week, breaking the world
record fee of £45.6 million that they paid for Zinédine Zidane
eight years ago.
Abramovich has been courting Kaká for several seasons so such a
rejection represents a considerable blow, but he will continue his
attempts to refashion the squad. The Russian has become far more
involved at Chelsea in the past three months, taking personal
charge of the managerial hunt and making regular visits to the
training ground.
Ancelotti has recommended that Chelsea try to bring Andrea
Pirlo, the Italy midfield player, with him to Stamford Bridge, but
it is unclear whether Milan would be willing to sell. Chelsea are
already in discussions with CSKA Moscow over the purchase of Yuri
Zhirkov, the versatile Russia player, while Sergio Agüero is top of
their list of potential strikers.
Abramovich has told Chelsea’s executives that the majority of
their business this summer must be self-funding, but is prepared to
underwrite the signing of a so-called marquee player. Kaká would
certainly have fallen into that category, but with the Brazilian
seemingly heading to Madrid, John Terry has urged Chelsea to sign
Franck Ribéry or David Villa. Ribéry, the Bayern Munich winger, is
also likely to join Real, but Villa, the striker, is definitely
available because Valencia are suffering from severe financial
problems.
“I think we’ll see Chelsea back and competing for the top
players,” Terry said. “I think there’ll be many players we’ll be in
for in the summer, but when big players come up . . . we need to
show people and let them know that, yes, Chelsea are back.”
Andriy Shevchenko will return to Chelsea with Ancelotti this
summer because Milan have no interest in taking up the option to
sign the striker permanently after a year on loan. The Ukrainian
made little impact as a player in his first two years at Chelsea,
but could have a crucial role to play as an interpreter while
Ancelotti improves his command of English.
“I think a few of the backroom staff have worked with him
before, and Sheva as well,” Terry said. “He speaks very highly of
him. If he’s the man to come in, he’s got a great bunch of lads to
work with. Knowing him and knowing us, it could be the start of
something very good.”
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