Kaka rejects Manchester City move

[ruaridhmac 29]

wow, what an incredible day for football

[Boab 73]

AC Milan have given their Brazilian superstar Kaka permission to talk to Manchester City.

City are thought to have bid in excess of £100m for the 26-year-old, whose father Bosco Leite is his advisor.

"Milan has authorized the negotiation with City," said Kaka's spokesman Diogo Kotschko. "The next step is Kaka's father will talk to Manchester City."

The director of the club's in-house TV channel, Mauro Suma, said Milan were looking at City's offer for Kaka.

But he added: "Considered does not mean decided or accepted. We are not faced with a decision made or a done deed."

However, a Milan spokesman said Suma's comments were not an official statement by the Serie A club.

Earlier on Thursday City boss Mark Hughes said the club's big-money offer for the playmaker makes football and business sense.

Talks are ongoing between the clubs over what would be a world record transfer.

"The money involved is something we feel, from a football and business point of view, works," said Hughes.

"The process has moved forward at a pace this week but people shouldn't be thinking that it is just a whim."

The sheer size of the figures involved in the proposed deal has made headlines around the world, but Hughes said it was all part of a considered plan from the club's hierarchy.

"It's been done with structure and understanding," he said.

"We're all very much involved in that process; myself from a football point of view and (chief executive) Garry Cook and (chairman) Khaldoon Al Mubarak from a club and business point of view.

"It would be naive to think I have not been involved in discussions over this transfer. I have had meetings about it and have had an input."

Earlier, City assistant manager Mark Bowen claimed that the record-breaking transfer was near to a resolution.

"We believe the deal is very close," Bowen told BBC Sport Wales.

"We are selling the future plans of the club to the player.

"I've read a lot about his love of AC Milan - and that goes without saying - but even when people said the deal was dead, that was not our understanding.

"The situation has been a surprise to everyone but obviously negotiations have been going on for a fair while.

"How close we are I don't know, but our understanding is that it is very much a strong possibility that Kaka will be coming."

Some media outlets reported the deal was off because City had decided to withdraw their offer to Milan.

An AC Milan spokesman told BBC Sport on Thursday that they would not be making any further comment on the "special situation", but Kaka's adviser Diogo Kotscho said his client would be open to a move if Milan wanted to sell.

Kotecho insists any move would be done for the right reasons and not just for the reported £500,000-a-week wages.

"It is not impossible, if Milan let us talk, then we will see what City have to offer," Kotscho told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Kaka knows about the offer but the club did not give authorisation for talks, so we did not meet.

"It was a great proposal but it's not about only money.

"We have to see if they have a project to become a Champions League team and become one of the top teams in the world, and to stay there long term."

Previously Kaka had told the website of Mediaset, a TV company owned by Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, he wanted to stay at the club for life.

"I want to grow old at Milan," he said.

"I repeat what I have always said. Other clubs can make all the offers they want but it all depends on Milan.

"As I have said before, as long as Milan share my goals, I would like to stay here. Then if one day the club wants to sell me, than that would be a different matter altogether.

"My aim is to become at some point in the future the captain of this team."

AC Milan confirmed that their chief executive Adriano Galliani had met officials from City on Tuesday to discuss Kaka's future.

The current record for a player's signature is £46m when France's Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.

Kaka joined Serie A giants Milan from Sao Paulo in 2003 and has since won the Italian league title, Champions League and Club World Cup.

The attacking midfielder has scored 86 goals in 244 appearances for Milan. He has also picked up 62 caps for Brazil and scored 23 goals.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, estimated to be worth £15bn, took over as City owner in September 2008 and extensive funds have been made available to Hughes.

However, he has only secured the services of Wayne Bridge in January's transfer window, with bids rejected for West Ham forward Craig Bellamy and Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The four-man delegation that travelled to Italy to initiate talks with the Milan officials is believed to have included executive chairman Cook and two representatives of the Sheikh.

With the club struggling in 15th position in the Premier League, it would give City an incredible boost if they were to seal the deal for one of the world's best players.

Kaka is under contract at the San Siro until 2013, and although he stated last February that he wanted to remain at Milan for the rest of his career, he did hint at a desire to play in the Premier League - which he has described as the "best championship in the world".

Story from BBC SPORT:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi...ity/7830199.stm

Published: 2009/01/15 20:22:28 GMT

© BBC MMIX

[Danny 9]

TBH I'll be happy either way - if he stays then good, hopefully he can regain the consistency he showed a couple seasons ago but if he goes then Milan will receive an insane amount of money for him and will be able to begin rebuilding with no excuses.

And with Yohann Gourcuff excelling at Bordeaux, Milan will believe they have a ready made replacement for Kaka, so they may be tempted to accept the bid.

1: It's a sad day when 2 big Milan fans like you and I are actually not that bothered to see Kaka leave. Such is his overall decline in the game, yet conversely his stock has increased and his reputation has stuck.

2: Gourcuff is and always was a terrific player who I was appalled to see rot and lie on the fringes at the San Siro. Funny now he's being heralded rightly.

[TMWWBK 0]

TBH I'll be happy either way - if he stays then good, hopefully he can regain the consistency he showed a couple seasons ago but if he goes then Milan will receive an insane amount of money for him and will be able to begin rebuilding with no excuses.

And with Yohann Gourcuff excelling at Bordeaux, Milan will believe they have a ready made replacement for Kaka, so they may be tempted to accept the bid.

1: It's a sad day when 2 big Milan fans like you and I are actually not that bothered to see Kaka leave. Such is his overall decline in the game, yet conversely his stock has increased and his reputation has stuck.

2: Gourcuff is and always was a terrific player who I was appalled to see rot and lie on the fringes at the San Siro. Funny now he's being heralded rightly.

The other night, i went as far as saying Gourcuff is one of the top 5 midfielders in Europe at the minute. I stand by that.

£100M to spend and the best midfielder the French have produced since Zizou to come back. Frankly, Milan would be fools to knock the £100M back.

[papaguy51 941]

Gourcuff's goal against PSG was definitely worth £100m

I've watched it about a hundred million times come to think of it.

[Danny 9]

TBH I'll be happy either way - if he stays then good, hopefully he can regain the consistency he showed a couple seasons ago but if he goes then Milan will receive an insane amount of money for him and will be able to begin rebuilding with no excuses.

And with Yohann Gourcuff excelling at Bordeaux, Milan will believe they have a ready made replacement for Kaka, so they may be tempted to accept the bid.

1: It's a sad day when 2 big Milan fans like you and I are actually not that bothered to see Kaka leave. Such is his overall decline in the game, yet conversely his stock has increased and his reputation has stuck.

2: Gourcuff is and always was a terrific player who I was appalled to see rot and lie on the fringes at the San Siro. Funny now he's being heralded rightly.

The other night, i went as far as saying Gourcuff is one of the top 5 midfielders in Europe at the minute. I stand by that.

£100M to spend and the best midfielder the French have produced since Zizou to come back. Frankly, Milan would be fools to knock the £100M back.

Better than Benzema, Makelele, Djorkaeff and Ribery?

[papaguy51 941]

TBH I'll be happy either way - if he stays then good, hopefully he can regain the consistency he showed a couple seasons ago but if he goes then Milan will receive an insane amount of money for him and will be able to begin rebuilding with no excuses.

And with Yohann Gourcuff excelling at Bordeaux, Milan will believe they have a ready made replacement for Kaka, so they may be tempted to accept the bid.

1: It's a sad day when 2 big Milan fans like you and I are actually not that bothered to see Kaka leave. Such is his overall decline in the game, yet conversely his stock has increased and his reputation has stuck.

2: Gourcuff is and always was a terrific player who I was appalled to see rot and lie on the fringes at the San Siro. Funny now he's being heralded rightly.

The other night, i went as far as saying Gourcuff is one of the top 5 midfielders in Europe at the minute. I stand by that.

£100M to spend and the best midfielder the French have produced since Zizou to come back. Frankly, Milan would be fools to knock the £100M back.

Better than Benzema, Makelele, Djorkaeff and Ribery?

I'd say so.

If not just now, he has the potential to become it in the coming year or two.

[blyth 3]

Did Milan actually come out and say that they valued Kaka at £100m?

I know City have an almost unlimited transfer fund but surely an offer of even £80m would have got the clubs talking, thus potentially leaving them with a 'spare' £20m to pursue Roque Santa Cruz.

I also agree with the posters talking about Gourcuff's brilliance, he really is top drawer. I'd say he is probably the main reason I've started watching French football again. Just a joy to watch.

[bluenose_72 198]

TBH I'll be happy either way - if he stays then good, hopefully he can regain the consistency he showed a couple seasons ago but if he goes then Milan will receive an insane amount of money for him and will be able to begin rebuilding with no excuses.

And with Yohann Gourcuff excelling at Bordeaux, Milan will believe they have a ready made replacement for Kaka, so they may be tempted to accept the bid.

1: It's a sad day when 2 big Milan fans like you and I are actually not that bothered to see Kaka leave. Such is his overall decline in the game, yet conversely his stock has increased and his reputation has stuck.

2: Gourcuff is and always was a terrific player who I was appalled to see rot and lie on the fringes at the San Siro. Funny now he's being heralded rightly.

If Kaka goes then I want Milan to go out and buy a striker with real quality to play alongside Pato. I'd be very happy with Benzema(who is being linked with Inter today).

A goalkeeper, 2 centre backs(one being Agger), a left back, 2 centre mids and a couple strikers is what id expect the £100m to be spent on and you wouldnt even need it all to buy a few quality players then a few squad players to replace the deadwood.

[TMWWBK 0]

TBH I'll be happy either way - if he stays then good, hopefully he can regain the consistency he showed a couple seasons ago but if he goes then Milan will receive an insane amount of money for him and will be able to begin rebuilding with no excuses.

And with Yohann Gourcuff excelling at Bordeaux, Milan will believe they have a ready made replacement for Kaka, so they may be tempted to accept the bid.

1: It's a sad day when 2 big Milan fans like you and I are actually not that bothered to see Kaka leave. Such is his overall decline in the game, yet conversely his stock has increased and his reputation has stuck.

2: Gourcuff is and always was a terrific player who I was appalled to see rot and lie on the fringes at the San Siro. Funny now he's being heralded rightly.

The other night, i went as far as saying Gourcuff is one of the top 5 midfielders in Europe at the minute. I stand by that.

£100M to spend and the best midfielder the French have produced since Zizou to come back. Frankly, Milan would be fools to knock the £100M back.

Better than Benzema, Makelele, Djorkaeff and Ribery?

For me, he's easily more promising than Djorkaeff and Ribery. Benzema and Makelele specialise in different roles/positions.

[Scott-RFC 308]

TBH I'll be happy either way - if he stays then good, hopefully he can regain the consistency he showed a couple seasons ago but if he goes then Milan will receive an insane amount of money for him and will be able to begin rebuilding with no excuses.

And with Yohann Gourcuff excelling at Bordeaux, Milan will believe they have a ready made replacement for Kaka, so they may be tempted to accept the bid.

1: It's a sad day when 2 big Milan fans like you and I are actually not that bothered to see Kaka leave. Such is his overall decline in the game, yet conversely his stock has increased and his reputation has stuck.

2: Gourcuff is and always was a terrific player who I was appalled to see rot and lie on the fringes at the San Siro. Funny now he's being heralded rightly.

The other night, i went as far as saying Gourcuff is one of the top 5 midfielders in Europe at the minute. I stand by that.

£100M to spend and the best midfielder the French have produced since Zizou to come back. Frankly, Milan would be fools to knock the £100M back.

Better than Benzema, Makelele, Djorkaeff and Ribery?

Certainly not

Lads got potential but still alot of work to do even match said players

[TMWWBK 0]

My mate in Barcelona tells me that there are Spanish reports suggesting that Milan shall meet with David Silva, Benzema and Mexes should the deal go through. Is it just me or should Milan fans be wishing that this deal goes through if that's true?

[Muff 245]

My mate is out in Rome with his bird, the news going around is that Kaka will accept and Milan will go in for Benzema, Frey, Silva and Mexes.

[TMWWBK 0]

My mate is out in Rome with his bird, the news going around is that Kaka will accept and Milan will go in for Benzema, Frey, Silva and Mexes.

Talk about value. Kaka for those four... deal.

[Scott-RFC 308]

Yeh fantastic business

[Muff 245]

If Milan get those 4 for the price of Kaka then it's daylight robbery!

Kaka is great, world class, but he's too inconsistant, and £138m(in total) plus wages, one bad tackle/one miss-timed jump and there are doubts about his future!

[Goianegra 4,710]

If Milan get those 4 for the price of Kaka then it's daylight robbery!

Kaka is great, world class, but he's too inconsistant, and £138m(in total) plus wages, one bad tackle/one miss-timed jump and there are doubts about his future!

Yeah, that would be the only bad thing for him. To put it in the words of Ronaldo, "You do one little, small thing wrong, and everyone all over you." Or something to tha extent :craphead2:

[bluenose_72 198]

My mate is out in Rome with his bird, the news going around is that Kaka will accept and Milan will go in for Benzema, Frey, Silva and Mexes.

Talk about value. Kaka for those four... deal.

Milan have been linked with Frey and Mexes for a while. 4 world class players for the price of 1, I'd take that!

[Muff 245]

BN72, do you think Kaka would move to Man City?

[bluenose_72 198]

If Kaka is given the choice then I think he'd opt to stay. I don't think he comes across as the sort of player who just wants the money so to speak. I think he will be "forced" to go however. That sort of money is just too good to turn down and if Milan can bring in those 4 mentioned either this month or in the summer, it will be a great bit of business.

[nvager 498]

The beginning of the end for English football.

Wages were obscene before, but what now if top players say well Kaka's getting .5m a week I need say .4m. Its not real.

The economic crisis is hitting hard and unemployment about to soar and we expect ordinary fans to subsidise this kind of wages?

I would boycott City in principal.

[Muff 245]

BN72 - that is what is wrong with football, deals like this are going to turn it head over heals!

[TMWWBK 0]

I wish it was the end for English football, but i just don't see where this prediction stems from.

They're spending more than ever, they're attracting better players than ever and the EPL in general has hit it's height of popularity. Even the Spaniards are feeling a bit of envy towards the EPL..

[Muff 245]

TM - look at Abramovich, a big spender for years, where is he now?

[chris_glasgow 2]

TM - look at Abramovich, a big spender for years, where is he now?

bored