Real Madrid are confident of unveiling AC Milan star Kaka as their latest signing next week.

Marca says Real struck a deal for Kaka yesterday afternoon in a meeting which included Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani and Bosco Leite, the father and agent of Kaka.

A deal worth around £55 million has been on the table for a couple of weeks, with Kaka also agreeing personal terms over a five-year Real contract. The only stumbling block was Bosco Leite's 'cut' from the transfer fee.

Early yesterday, Galliani claimed to be on a beach well away from Madrid. But in the afternoon he confirmed: "It was a joke, in fact this afternoon I was invited to dinner in Madrid."