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Updated at 4:18 a.m., Monday, January 19, 2009

Soccer: Kaka's father arrives in Milan for transfer talks

Associated Press

MILAN, Italy — Kaka's father and chief adviser, Bosco Leite, arrived in Italy on Monday to discuss his son's possible record transfer from AC Milan to Manchester City.

Bosco's first order of business was a private meeting with Kaka in the player's downtown home, the ANSA news agency reported.

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.

Italian Premier and Milan president Silvio Berlusconi returned overnight from a Gaza peace summit in Egypt and met with Milan vice president Adriano Galliani for 1½ hours over Kaka, according to ANSA.

Kaka's spokesman, Diogo Kotscho, said the player's father was planning to meet with Milan officials later Monday, adding that there will be no talks with City until after this meeting.

Kaka and his father want to confirm with Milan whether City's offer has been accepted and if he can negotiate with the English club.

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.