Kaka on brink of Real deal

AC MILAN playmaker Kaka was last night on the brink of sealing a world record €65 million transfer to Real Madrid after successfully undergoing a medical in Brazil at the request of the Spanish giants yesterday.

Real are looking to strengthen their squad over the summer and have been linked with several of the world’s top players including Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery and Valencia duo David Villa and David Silva since Florentino Perez’s return as president.

Kaka, who was expected to confirm his move to the Spanish giants at a press in the early hours of this morning, is among their top targets and Milan admitted recently it could be difficult to keep him during the transfer window.

Kaka’s record switch, which would smash the previous record set when Zinedine Zidane joined Real from Juventus in 2001 in a €51m deal, moved a step closer yesterday with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirming that the 27-year-old, who is currently in his homeland on international duty has had a medical with the Spanish side.

A statement on the CBF website read: “The technical committee of the Brazilian national team attended the request of Kaka and the board of Real Madrid and released the player to perform the routine examinations in a clinic in Recife.

“The CBF had to make all the arrangements for the test through its Medical Department head Jose Luiz Runco, who accompanied the player during the tests.’’

Kaka joined Milan from Sao Paolo in 2003 for just €8.5m and already has an enviable medal collection.

2007 was a stellar year as Milan picked up the Champions League as well as the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, whilst his Brazil side won the Confederations Cup and he was also voted the FIFA World Player Of The Year.

He has also won the Serie A title, and was part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning squad.

Although under contract at the San Siro until 2013, in January Manchester City made an audacious £100m (€115m) bid, offering a reported £500,000 (€577,000) a week in wages but Kaka opted to stay in Italy.

More recently he was linked with a move to Chelsea, following the arrival of former Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge last week.