Italian giants AC Milan have rejected a massive $165 bid from Chelsea for their star playmaker Kaka, after widespread speculation the World Player of the Year was headed to the English Premier League.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani today confirmed Milan had rejected Chelsea’s transfer offer.
“It’s true that Chelsea made a conspicuous offer, but I will not say how much it was,” Galliani told the Italian media.
“It is equally true that we said no. [AC Milan] President Silvio Berlusconi rejected the chance to sell Kaka, just as he told Real Madrid no in 2001 for Andriy Shevchenko.”
Milan signed Kaka’s Brazil teammate Ronaldinho last week, and had suggested the team would be based around the star duo this season.
With the club apparently suffering financial difficulties, Kaka’s personal assistant Diogo Kotscho had claimed on the weekend the player was set to leave for London.
“Real Madrid offered 90 million euros last summer and Milan did not even think about the bid,” Kotscho told Britain’s The Guardian.
“This time is different. This is the first time we feel that a deal will definitely happen.
“Because of the situation Milan are in at the moment, the deal is good for all parties involved.
“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 15 million euros.
“Chelsea are the club to be at right now. They are building a team to win everything.”
Milan missed out on Champions League qualification after a disappointing campaign last season, but Ronaldinho’s arrival could herald a new era at the powerhouse club.
