Sid Lowe: Kaka & Milan Have Agreed To World Record Deal

Madrid-based British journalist Sid Lowe has claimed that a deal is already in place which will see Kaka join Real Madrid from Milan for a world record-breaking fee this summer.

The Brazil international, it is claimed, could join Los Blancos for a staggering €65 million (£56m), smashing the previous world record of €55m (£47.3m) held since 2001 when Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to the Santiago Bernabeu.

"The deal is in place,"Lowe told Sky Sports News.

"There's an agreement between Real Madrid and AC Milan and of course between Real Madrid and the player, and perhaps just as importantly, Real Madrid and the father and agent, Bosco Leite, who was one of the stumbling blocks yesterday, because there was a bit of an argument over the size of his commission.

"What won't happen yet at least is for it to be formally announced. AC Milan and Real Madrid have discussed this; they want it to be discussed at the back end of this week or early next week.

"It appears the figures in the region of €64-65 million, although there are sources from the other side of the negotiations, with Chelsea trying to get involved, that the fee could actually be nine or ten million Euros higher than that.

Asked how Florentino Perez might have progressed so well with the negotiations, Lowe repled, "In the first instance he has a very good relationship with Adriano Galliani.

"They met at at the offices of Florentino's company, ACS, in Madrid, and went through negotiations.

"During his last time at Real Madrid he developed relationships with all the biggest clubs across Europe.

"The other factor is that he's running a club that players still want to go to, despite the fact Real Madrid have been slightly chaotic over the last five or six years."

Kaka recently released a statement affirming his desire to stay with the Rossoneri, but Lowe believes this was just a tactic to buy himself some breathing space.

"Nothing's really changed, what's changed is that we're now aware that Kaka was maybe trying to get himself peace," Lowe remarked.

"He didn't really care what he said, he just wanted to get people off his back.

"There was a very interesting comment from Jorge Valdano, the new director general of Real Madrid, saying 'at this time of year, you have to be very, very carfeul what people say. Don't believe what people tell you, and by that I include myself as well'."

Lowe also stated that the chances that Chelsea may steal in and take Kaka to Stamford Bridge are very slim.

"I think that's very unlikely," Lowe stated.

"My understanding is that not only are Real Madrid very confident the deal is almost done, but also privately that Chelsea have pretty much thrown in the towel.

"They believe that it's too late, they believe that Kaka wants to join Real Madrid not Chelsea, and they believe they won't get him."

"Ac Milan are happy to sell, but they're not saying anything. Real Madrid are briefing that they think they've got him, and Chelsea are briefing that they haven't. Therefore, we have to assume that it's all done."

Lowe also stated that Kaka will not be the only 'Galactico' to join Los Merengues this summer.

"[Florentino Perez] will sign more players, he's very, very keen in adding more than one Galactico this year. He wants to have two, maybe even three and a series of Spanish stars as well. He's after David Villa and David Silva."

Asked where the funds will come from for the marquee signing, Lowe responded, "There isn't any money at Real Madrid. Most people are getting turned down [by the banks for Money] but Real Madrid won't be."

Asked whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be on the list of potential signings, Lowe stated, "There's no doubt he will be.

"He's a player Real Madrid would like, he's a player Real Madrid believe would help them bring in the income they need. Florentino Perez believes that Superstars are the best way to make money."

Lowe also revealed that he expects players to depart the Bernabeu this summer to raise transfer funds, most notably their clan of Dutch internationals.

"Even very good players, like Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, are players Real Madrid would like to get rid of if they can find buyers."

Ricky Brooks, Goal.com