Real deal: Chelsea are in pole position to sign Real Madrid playmaker Kaka
Chelsea are in pole position to sign Brazil playmaker Kaka from Real Madrid.
The 28-year-old is tipped to leave the Bernabeu after a disappointing first season in La Liga and sources in Spain insist a move to Stamford Bridge is the most likely destination for a player once seen as the best in the world.
Carlo Ancelotti insists he doesn't need to add to his side in January unless there he is beset by injuries, but a reunion with Kaka would be impossible to resist.
The Italian has never hidden his admiration for the attacking midfielder and admitted in the summer that he would be at the front of the queue if Real Madrid were willing to sell.
Ancelotti got the best out of Kaka when they worked together at AC Milan - only for both to leave the San Siro last year.
Milan, their rivals Inter and Manchester City have all been linked with a swoop, but well-connected Madrid radio station Cadena Ser insists Chelsea are the favourites for his signature.
A deal would not be without difficulty. Madrid may allow him to leave on loan in January once Kaka has returned from a knee injury that has kept him out all season.
Better together: Ancelotti got the best out of the Brazilian during their successful spell at AC Milan
However, Bernabeu president Florentino Perez is a huge fan of Kaka and would demand a hefty fee after paying out £56million for him last year.
Nonetheless, coach Jose Mourinho could already have rendered him surplus to requirements.
The former Chelsea boss has put his faith in a new generation and would be reluctant to hinder the progress of Mesut Ozil and Sergio Canales.
Kaka will fall out with Real Madrid in January, leaving Milan and Inter to scramble with safety nets in an attempt to catch him during the transfer window stampede, according to Spanish reports.
Both AS and Marca report Real Madrid will listen to offers for the 28-year-old Brazilian, and those are likely to come from Serie A.
Milan and Inter have been tipped as the front-runners for Kaka's signature.
The Rossoneri have never excluded the possibility of a return, while Inter would love the player in their ranks. Rafael Benitez is likely to spend in January following a remote and underdeveloped shopping stint in the summer.
However, both teams face competition from Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan of Kaka, and he would take him on after launching his career at Milan.