Soccer: Kaka sends signal to fans standing vigil
Associated Press
MILAN, Italy — Kaka grasped an AC Milan jersey and pounded his chest with his hand in an apparent signal to fans standing outside his home Monday night, while his father and chief adviser held talks for a possible record transfer to Manchester City.
Bosco Leite arrived in Italy earlier and began the day with a private meeting with his son in the player's downtown home. Then came a meeting with Milan vice president Adriano Galliani that lasted two hours, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported on its Web site, after which Bosco had discussions with City's executive chairman Garry Cook, who has also arrived in Milan.
Joint meetings between Bosco, Cook and Milan followed.
City has reportedly offered a world record 100 million pounds ($147 million, euro111 million) for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year to play in the Premier League.
Earlier, Italian Premier and Milan president Silvio Berlusconi returned overnight from a Gaza peace summit in Egypt and met with Galliani for 1 1/2 hours over Kaka, whose full name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite.
A group of about 500 fans protested outside Milan's downtown offices, chanting "Don't sell Kaka." A few flares were lit, but no problems were reported. Afterward, about 20 fans moved toward Kaka's home and chanted, "Stay with us, Ricardo," to which Kaka replied by approaching a window with a Milan jersey in hand and beat his hand three times on his heart, sending the fans into delirium, ANSA and the Gazzetta reported.
There has been speculation that Kaka's camp will ask for a revision of his contract with Milan if he stays, although he is already the highest paid player for the Rossoneri at euro9 million (US$12 million) per season, and Milan does not appear inclined to accept such a request.
Milan's other Brazil stars earn much less — Ronaldinho euro4 million (US$5.3 million) and Alexandre Pato euro2 million (US$2.7 million) — and Milan fears that if it restructures Kaka's contract, other players will want to follow suit.
The 26-year-old Kaka is under contract with Milan through 2013.
