Milan close in on Crespo deal

AC Milan tonight 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 told the Press Association that he remains keen for Argentinian Crespo to remain with Milan.

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

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, not only on Crespo’s status, and we hope that we will have some positive progress to report in the next few days.”

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

He is confident of staying in Italy and, after returning from international duty with Argentina, told Corriere dello Sport his future lies at the San Siro.

“When I was leaving for Argentina, (Milan vice president) Adriano Galliani said that everything was fine,” said Crespo.

“He said there would be a contract to sign when I came back from Buenos Aires. I honestly don’t have a reason to be worried, I am sure I will stay at Milan.”

Kenyon was not as revealing as either Crespo or Gandini but did confirm that all Chelsea’s new players will be involved in the tour of the States, which begins with a game against Milan on July 24.

“Discussions are still going on but I can promise the teams who we will be playing against in the US that we will arrive with our full strength team,” said Kenyon.

“This tournament is a really important part of our season planning and to have all our new team members as part of the 24-man squad is essential to how we think we will perform for the rest of the season.

“Whichever side we bring, they will be our top players and the ones we expect to see us right the way through next season.

“We are confident of getting the new players in soon – that’s why I am not on holiday.

“We did an amazing job last year in terms of moving 14 players out and bringing seven in.

“All those players were available for the US travelling party last season so certainly by the time we go this year all the new acquisitions will be in place with the squad.”

Kenyon also confirmed that talks with Tottenham over Frank Arnesen’s switch to Stamford Bridge were still continuing.

Even though Chelsea will begin defending their Premiership title just a fortnight after returning from their trip to the States, Kenyon is adamant that preparations have met with the approval of coach Jose Mourinho.

He added: “I spoke to coach Jose today and he was delighted. He think it is perfect preparation for what he wants to achieve from the team.

“Football is the real driving reason we are coming back to America this year.

“The conditions the US market gives us in terms of training facilities and the quality of opposition, the climate, the fans, and the sheer enthusiasm for the game, gives us the perfect platform for our preparation.

“We are delighted to be going back. It is the perfect environment for us to prepare to defend our Premiership title next season.

“We will be looking at the Milan games as being the precursor to the next Champions League final in Paris.”

Chelsea will begin the four-team tournament, organised by AEG Communications and the US Major Soccer League, against Milan on July 24 at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Milan will play Chicago Fire three days later and on July 28 Chelsea take on DC United at Fedex Field, Washington.

The last match sees Chelsea play a return game against Milan in the Giants Stadium, New Jersey on July 31.