Tuttosport says the manner in which Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has allowed Shevchenko to make the move, which will include the Blues covering a significant part of his wages, suggests the Russian has managed to strike a deal with Silvio Berlusconi, the Rossoneri patron, of an option on Kaka.

Chelsea are already convinced they will land Kaka next summer - which would prove a great coup for the Premiership and a bitter blow to long time suitors Real Madrid.