Leonardo to step in as AC Milan prepare Kaka sale

Real Madrid are edging ever closer to landing AC Milan superstar Kaka.

Corriere dello Sport says Kaka and Milan are preparing to part ways this summer, with Real president-elect Florentino Perez waiting to take him to Madrid.

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi admits he may have to sell to buy if the squad is to undergo major surgery before the start of next season.

Still bristling over criticism from fans on Sunday, Berlusconi said: "The Middle East petrodollars and taxes are favoring Spanish and English clubs.

"(But) if I leave, Milan would not win anything."

Meanwhile, Leonardo is expected to be confirmed as new coach next Monday. Carlo Ancelotti will leave for Chelsea, with Brazilian Leonardo taking his place.

The Milan director has already convinced assistant coaches Filippo Galli and Mauro Tassotti to stay on.

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Kaka issued

Kabar mengejutkan datang dari San Siro. Playmaker jenius asal Brasil, Ricardo Kaka, dikabarkan siap dijual AC Milan. Ya, cerita transfer Kaka kembali bergulir. Usai menolak tawaran gila-gilaan klub Premier League Manchester City di awal tahun lalu, pemain tengah 27 tahun ini dinyatakan mulai dilirik kembali oleh Real Madrid.
Mantan presiden Madrid Florentino Perez diberitakan ingin memboyong Kaka sebagai bagian dari kampanye untuk menduduki kembali kursi presiden di Santiago Bernabeu. Media-media di Spanyol bahkan menyebut Kaka sudah membuat kesepakatan dengan Madrid.
Tapi, bukan kabar ketertarikan El Merengues yang menghebohkan publik sepakbola. Niatan presiden klub Silvio Berlusconi melepas Kaka lah yang patut diperhitungkan.
"Kali ini saya siap menjual Kaka," kata Berlusconi dilansir Il Giorno, Kamis (21/5/2009).
Pernyataan tersebut di atas semakin menguatkan saga kepindahan Kaka ke Spanyol. Sebelumnya, Berlusconi yang juga menjabat sebagai Perdana Menteri Italia melontarkan kekecewaannya terhadap kinerja pelatih Carlo Ancelotti yang gagal mempersembahkan scudetto.

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Moratti "hopes" Ibrahimovic wants Inter Milan stay

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti hopes they can convince Zlatan Ibrahimovic to carry on next season.

With Barcelona and Real Madrid circling, Moratti declared: "We need to understand his character, to accept his way of doing things that sometimes can create problems.

"I admire him as a player and as a person, because he is a serious professional. I hope he has the desire to continue to stay with us, because we have an important project."

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Del Piero: Juventus need more than couple of signings

Juventus captain Alessandro del Piero says they won't transform into sudden title contenders with a couple of major signings.

“It's not as simple as just bringing in two or three champions,” Del Piero explained to Tuttosport.

“There are lots of other factors involved. For example, we played several games at night in the winter this season.

“On these evenings it was very cold or humid, which didn't help and then there were the refereeing errors that influenced results.

“But it was our fault because defensive and attacking mistakes stopped us achieving what we could have. We need to put that right because I don't want to finish second or third again.

“As far as transfers are concerned I have never vetoed any swoop,” Alex continued.

“The reason for that is very simple. I don't talk to the club about the transfer market and they don't ask for my opinion.”

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Ibra Siap tampar Nyonya Tua

Striker Inter Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, mengaku siap tampil maksimal di Turin. Pertandingan itu akan emosional baginya, karena dia pernah memperkuat Juventus. Namun, dia tetap akan profesional dan mengerahkan segala kemampuannya untuk memenangkan pertandingan atas Si Nyonya Tua.

"Ini bukan pertandingan terpenting Inter di musim ini. Kami sudah memimpin dengan keunggulan 10 poin. Kami telah menunjukkan hasyrat untuk juara. Itu sebabnya kami mampu memimpin klasemen," kata Ibrahimovic.

Pemain yang sering dipanggil Ibra itu menambahkan, "Jika kami menang di Turin, maka keuntungannya akan semakin besar."

Ibra sebelumnya memperkuat Juventus. Dia meninggalkan klub itu pada 2006, saat Juventus terkena skandal calciopoli. Di Inter, dia langsung menjadi pemain andalan.

"Ini akan menjadi partai emosional dan menarik ditonton. Kami akan siap menghadapi pertarungan, karena kami sudah bekerja keras dalam latihan seminggu ini. Kami datang ke Turin untuk memenangkan pertandingan," tegas Ibra.

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Juventus president Cobolli Gigli: Nothing wrong with Lippi meeting

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli insists there was nothing untoward in a meeting with Marcello Lippi last week.

He explained: "I knew very well that there was this meeting between our most important and strategic operations manager and one of the most important men of Italian football.

"I must tell the truth, the fact that this meeting took place in a very public place just shows that there was a willingness to exchange views with the national team coach, who manages a number of our current and potential players in the future.

"If once every six months the CEO meets with Lippi, I find it only fair."

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AC Milan's Maldini touched by Inter fans support

Cesare Maldini says son, Paolo, will retire from AC Milan at the end of the season.

Maldini Snr, who remains a scout for Milan, said: "As for my son, Paolo, I can confirm that Sunday night was his last derby. He made his decision: he'll finish the championship, finish everything. And for him there will be a new life.

"The thing I was glad to see was the banner that was dedicated to him by the fans of Inter, a huge surprise for Paolo. He felt a tremendous satisfaction in seeing a banner of benevolence and gratitude, something very beautiful."

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Internazionale Milan must forget CR7

Marco Tronchetti Provera has urged Inter Milan not to bid for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reacting to reports last night that Inter president Massimo Moratti was preparing a £70 million offer for the new World Player of the Year, shareholder Provera, said: "I hope that it does not happen, I think that it will not happen."

The Pirelli chairman continued: "Granted this is not my responsibility. I believe that there is no need to buy him, even if Cristiano Ronaldo is a great champion and it is a joy to see him play. Inter is a very strong team which has great champions."

Provera added: "I hope that Inter does not buy him because I am a friend of Moratti, and to spend £70 million ... I hope that it does not happen, I think that it will not happen."

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Bonera backs AC Milan bid for Roma's Mexes

Daniel Bonera has backed AC Milan's pursuit of Roma defender Philippe Mexes.

Milan chiefs see Mexes as the ideal successor for skipper Paolo Maldini.

"The market does not worry me, but certainly we need to improve our defensive pool," said the Italy international fullback.

"Mexes is a great player. The club has always worked well and we're in a strong position. Though, if (Adriano) Galliani decides to strengthen the Rossonero defence, that would be welcome."

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AC Milan will press LA Galaxy to extend Beckham deal

AC Milan intend to pressure LA Galaxy to extend the loan of David Beckham.

The Mail on Sunday says the Italian giants have tried to play down the significance of Beckham's loan spell to avoid further angering LA Galaxy.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani even claimed the club do not want Beckham beyond March.

But a source said: "Forget the public posturing - if David does well in his loan period until March, Milan will try to keep him until the end of the season. Whether or not they are successful will depend on Beckham and his relationship with the Galaxy.

"No one is talking about it in public right now because if they did, it would cause trouble between the clubs."

Beckham is meant to rejoin LA Galaxy by April 15, when the US transfer window closes, but could return earlier.

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Mourinho admits admiration for Chelsea's Drogba

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has admitted his great admiration for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. 

“It is easy for me to talk about him, because he is like a son to me,” smiled Mourinho yesterday. 

“I remember every moment we spent together: from when I wanted him at Chelsea and he first arrived at Stamford Bridge, to the Cup Final at Wembley when he hugged me before his teammates, seeking me out like crazy in the locker room. 

“But it is also difficult for me to talk about him, because he is a Chelsea player, he has a contract with them and can choose between many different teams when he wants to leave.” 

Drogba’s increasingly public spat with Chelsea fuelled reports he was to quit, especially after he was found in a meeting with Inter directors. 

“I haven’t spoken to him in months,” assured Mourinho. “The last time was when he injured himself against Cluj in the first few Champions League games.
“Besides, we have a tricky situation here, as we have [Hernan] Crespo, [Julio] Cruz, Adriano and [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic. 

“I understand that when there is talk of his unhappiness at the Blues, Inter’s name will inevitably come out. 

“That is down to the rapport that exists between us, but there is nothing else in it. I hope he rediscovers joy and happiness and that he can play at his level.”

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