The Daily Mail says Milan claimed yesterday that the world player of the year is not available for transfer, but their failure to qualify for the Champions League has left a black hole in the club's finances.

Although the Italians maintain Kaka will not be sold, Chelsea have been encouraged to make a world record bid for the Brazil star after discreet conversations with his agent Wagner Ribeiro.

Kaka is in Brazil recovering from injury, but a move to London to work with Luiz Felipe Scolari is under consideration.