AC Milan have opened talks with Vasco da Gama for defender Dede.

Sportmediaset says Milan kicked off negotiations on March 10 to lure Dede to Italy in the summer.

Chelsea have stepped in with a bid of €10 million for the Brazil international, which has forced Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani make a counter offer of €12 million.

However, both offers fall short of Vasco's valuation.