Crespo deal imminent, says AC Milan chief

AC MILAN last night claimed Hernan Crespo’s permanent move from Chelsea could be sealed in a matter of days and possibly be followed by Kakha Kaladze moving in the opposite direction.

The Italian club’s organising director Umberto Gandini said that he remains keen for Argentinian Crespo to remain with Milan.

Both Gandini and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon were yesterday launching details of the 2005 World Series of Football, to be staged in America at the end of next month.

Chelsea will face AC Milan twice at the tournament, but Kenyon refused to discuss where Crespo and defender Kaladze will begin the 2005/06 season.

Gandini hinted that the clubs were well on the way to finalising Kaladze’s move to Stamford Bridge.

“We are still discussing this and I would absolutely like Crespo to stay with us,” said the Milan official.

“We have a very good relationship and we are talking on different projects.”

Crespo spent last season on loan at Milan from Chelsea and scored twice in their Champions League final defeat by Liverpool.