Chelsea will reportedly demand AC Milan midfielder Kaka or
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as a direct summer replacement for
Didier Drogba. Blues boss Avram Grant and the Stamford Bridge
hierarchy have run out of patience with the unsettled Ivory Coast
international's public posturing over his future, according to the
Daily Mirror.
Chelsea feel that Barcelona and AC Milan are the two most likely
suitors for the former Marseille striker, who has spoken of his
desire to join either club. Drogba is valued at £40million by
Chelsea and any possible swap deal would illustrate the club's
determination to drive the hardest possible bargain.
Kaka and Messi represent the "fantasy" footballers that Roman
Abramovich wants to bring to Stamford Bridge. Over the last two
summers AC Milan have resisted Real Madrid's attempts to snap up
Kaka, however their signing of Brazilian boy wonder Pato could open
the door to a potential deal.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta, however, would be more reluctant
to let Messi leave the Nou Camp.
