Real Madrid may offer Ronaldo to
AC Milan in exchange for Kaka, according to Spanish news reports on
Sunday.
Milan is reportedly keen to bolster its attack by signing Ronaldo to
replace Andriy Shevchenko, who left for Chelsea in May.
And Madrid could take advantage by using the Brazil striker as a
bargaining tool for acquiring his compatriot Kaka, whose arrival was a
pre-electoral pledge of the club's new president Ramon Calderon, sports
daily Marca said.
Ronaldo, who spent five years in Milan with rival Inter before joining
Madrid in 2002, has two years left on his contract but is believed to be
unsettled. Last season, he threatened to leave Madrid due to continuing
criticism from supporters.
The Brazilian's position appears to be further weakened by reports that
Madrid's new coach Fabio Capello prefers recent signing Ruud van
Nistelrooy to spearhead the attack for the new season rather than
Ronaldo.
Ronaldo has yet to play under Capello as he is sidelined with a knee
injury.
Milan has so far refused to countenance the transfer of Kaka - who is
under contract to Milan until 2011 - but could change its mind if
Ronaldo is offered, the paper added.
Madrid's interest in the attacking midfielder drew an angry response
last month from Milan vice president Adriano Galliani, who referred to
Calderon, sports director Predrag Mijatovic and his assistant Franco
Baldini as "bandits."
Calderon sought to defuse the row by writing to Galliani, saying it was
all a "big misunderstanding."
Kaka, who played for Milan in a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in a
preseason friendly on Saturday, appeared unconcerned by the speculation.
"In this matter, those who decide are Milan and Real Madrid. I have
played my part and I'm very happy with my team," Kaka was quoted as
saying by Marca on Sunday. |
