Chelsea option on Kaka?

Ricky Kaka, as we all know, belongs to God.

But in another, more legitimate sense, he belongs to AC Milan and also, at least a wee bit, to Mrs Kaka.

It could be that he belongs to AC Milan forever, in which case this post will go down in the annuls (snigger) of history as wholly unnecessary.

But the transfer of Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro from Chelsea raises doubts about what happens when Kaka decides to leave.

It struck me as strange when, upon mooching through my Google Reader feeds this morning, I discovered that Milan and Chelsea had both stated that the specifics of the Shevchenko deal were to remain 'confidential'. I find that worrying, to say the least.

Channel 4's excellent Football Italia site is reporting that it's not gone down so well in Lombardy either, with pundits and supporters concerned that, with Chelsea having paid £30m to Milan for Shevchenko, a year-long loan deal with a £13m permanent transfer fee tacked on at the end of it is a little...strange.

What's the worry? That Rossoneri president Adriano Galliani and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich have factored Kaka into the equation.

From the aforementioned Football Italia, which puts it better than I could:

"There is the rumour that Chelsea’s £100m chase for Kaka could be involved, as the only way for Milan to gain leverage would be to include an option on the Brazilian.

"However, should Kaka not wish to leave San Siro at any stage of his career, then the option would essentially be worthless.

"If the 2007 Ballon d’Or does opt to walk away, then the option would give Chelsea first choice, thereby destroying any chance of Real Madrid pipping them to the post."

With the terms of the deal shrouded in mystery, I can see why Milan's tifosi are struggling. It looks very much like this is a plausible explanation. However, let it not be forgotten that Abramovich is the guard of a bottomless pit of cash and a friend of Shevchenko. It is entirely possible that a simple compromise has been reached which is beneficial to all, but with Chelsea taking a financial hit.

Of course it may be that Kaka is on his way to Stamford Bridge. Time will tell.

(Photo Credit: BBC Sport)