Thursday Football

04 June 2009

by Jerrad Peters

Kaka will keep his word, and still move to Madrid

Never take an athlete at his word—especially in matters of contract, transfer or any other subject where money is concerned. It's a rule of thumb for sports reporters.

Of course, every rule has its exceptions. And in the case of Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (better known to the world as Kaka), I've found mine. Kaka is adamant that he doesn't want to leave AC Milan—for Real Madrid or any other club. I believe him.

"I say for the last time, I don't want to leave Milan," the 27-year-old told Gazzetto dello Sport on Tuesday. "In this period I prefer to stay quiet because I don't want to be misinterpreted. To the millions of Rossoneri fans I say my decision has been made. I have said I want to stay."

Kaka made almost identical remarks in January when Manchester City attempted to triple the world transfer record and lure him to Eastlands. He wasn't tempted in the least, and there's nothing to suggest his mind has changed in the five months since.

The Brazilian's personal story is well known to everyone who follows the sport. (If you need a refresher: http://www.soccer365.com/features/story_21109224236.php) This is a man who never appears on the back pages for the wrong reasons, who funds a church in his hometown with portions of his earnings and who has ambitions to become a priest upon retirement from football.

In other words, Kaka is a man of character and integrity who remains true to his word. If he says he doesn't want to go to Madrid—that he's never requested a transfer from the San Siro—then you can take his declaration as gospel truth.

Having said that, I fully believe his transfer from Milan to the Spanish capital will take place before the beginning of July and that he'll agree a record wage packet ahead of his Real Madrid debut in August.

As far as this transaction is concerned, Kaka's desire to remain in Italy—however well intentioned—means absolutely nothing. Just two seasons removed from being named FIFA World Player of the Year, he remains one of the top two or three footballers in the world, and perhaps the best playmaker of the lot. With Milan keen on rebuilding their squad after the hiring of new coach Leonardo, they won't be able to resist the chance at cashing in on their franchise player. Milan are desperate to sell Kaka, and there's nothing to stop them from doing it.

Done deal

As a matter of fact, the deal is all but done. With Kaka preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay and the subsequent Confederations Cup, Milan have taken the opportunity to conduct their business in his absence.

On Tuesday, Rossoneri technical director Adriano Galliani flew to Madrid with Kaka's father—Bosco Leite—and Getmo Paolillo to finalize terms with new Meringues president Florentino Perez. They landed at the Torrejon de Ardoz military airport and were whisked away to a secret location, later found out to be a skyscraper on Avenida Pio XII from where Perez operates his ACS construction company.

After four hours of talks and having reached an agreement in principle, the traveling party returned to the airport and flew back to Milan. It was around this time that rumors of an increased bid from Chelsea first surfaced, although on Thursday the club denied having ever made an offer.

Milan are thought to have accepted a bid of 68.5m euros for Kaka. They are still trying to barter one or both of Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben into the package as make-weights, additions that would push the value of the deal to almost 100 million.

Bosco Leite, meanwhile, has negotiated a five-year contract and an annual salary of 9.5m euros for his son. Kaka's valuable image rights will be split evenly between himself and his new club.

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jerradpeters@gmail.com