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Chelsea to launch record bid for Milan playmaker Kaka

19/07/2008

Chelsea are reportedly set to bid a world record £80 million to sign Brazilian playmaker Kaka from AC Milan.

The Blues have coveted the star player for some time and with the Italian side having captured compatriot Ronaldinho earlier this week the west London side feel now is the right time to pounce.

Milan are believed to have some financial difficulties, brought about by their failure to qualify for the Champions League next season.

They also have an ageing squad and need funds to refresh their squad.

Kaka's personal assistant and closest adviser, Diogo Kotscho, says Milan should allow Kaka to leave after he remained loyal to the club last season when Real Madrid tried to sign him.

Kotscho told the Guardian: "Real Madrid offered €90m [£71million] last summer and Milan did not even think about the bid.

"This time is different. This is the first time we feel that a deal will definitely happen. Because of the [financial] situation Milan are in at the moment, the deal is good for all parties involved."

Kotscho says Kaka is keen to join Chelsea not only for the significant financial benefits but also because of the quality of their squad.

He told the paper: "The move would represent a significant increase in Kaka's salary, on top of the 10 per cent transfer fee that goes straight to the player anyway - some €15m [11.89 million]. Chelsea are the club to be at right now. They are building a team to win everything."

New Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari could have helped attract Kaka to Stamford Bridge. Scolari gave Kaka his international debut in 2002 and the playmaker was part of the Brazil squad which Scolari guided to the World Cup later that year.

If the transfer does go through it would beat the highest transfer fee ever paid, which is currently Zinedine Zidane's move from Juventus to Real Madrid for £60 million.