TRANSFER SPECULATION

MADRID SIGN KAKA IN MAMMOTH DEAL

Italian and Spanish media report that Kaka has agreed to join Madrid for a world-record fee of £56 million.
Speculation surrounding the Brazil and Milan superstar has been rife following an alleged meeting between new Madrid president Florentino Perez and Milan vice president Adriano Galliani in Madrid on Wednesday.
Both parties have supposedly agreed to a five-year deal worth S$18 million a season. Kaka's father and agent, Bosco Leite apparently also agreed to the terms of the contract, but held off officially signing the paperwork.
One of the reasons for this hesitation may have been a sensational last-minute increased offer from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, which is said to have enticed Kaka's father, who is also arguing over his own commission from the transfer.
According to Milan sources though, the transfer has indeed taken place behind closed doors, although club president and Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi apparently does not want the transfer announced until next week.
Real Madrid president Perez had earlier hinted that the deal was underway, stating: ""We started working today and we will lay the foundations to create a magnificent team. Kaka could be one of our objectives but the prices the media are talking about are really out of the reality. Some things can last for days, others for months. We have time until 31 August."
Kaka is said to prefer a move to the Primera Liga rather than the Premier League, despite Chelsea recently appointing former Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti as coach.
The signing would be a huge blow to Chelsea, with both new manager Ancelotti and owner Abramovich putting Kaka on top of their summer wish list.
Chelsea representatives have even made moves to set up a face-to-face meeting between Kaka and Abramovich to hopefully persuade the Brazilian into a English move.
Chelsea have offered Kaka a £150,000 a week which would make him the highest paid player at the club, eclipsing John Terry and Frank Lampard, who currently earn£135,000 per week.

CITY COMPLETE BARRY SIGNING

Manchester City have completed a surprise £12million transfer swoop for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.
The 28-year-old England midfielder has signed a five-year contract at Eastlands having completed a medical earlier today.
Barry, who was a target for Liverpool last summer, leaves Villa after 12 years and more than 400 matches.
The midfielder had publicly stated he wanted to play in the Champions League and manager Martin O'Neill knew it would be difficult to hang on to the player should one of the top four come calling.
However, Barry's decision to join the revolution - bankrolled by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan - being undertaken by Mark Hughes at Eastlands will have come as a shock to O'Neill and Villa fans alike.
City have not even qualified for next season's revamped Europa League and some supporters are certain to believe Barry has moved because of the £80,000-a-week salary at Eastlands.
But it is understood Barry has received assurances regarding the quality of player Mark Hughes is looking to bring in this summer to help establish City as a major force.
And he is likely to be assured of regular first-team football at Eastlands - a crucial factor in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, assuming England qualify.
O'Neill refused to budge from his £18million valuation of the player when Liverpool relentlessly pursued Barry less than 12 months ago.
But with Reds manager Rafael Benitez's priorities for squad-building lying elsewhere, City saw their chance to sign an established England international and proven Premier League player.
Even though they are £6million down on the deal from a year ago the transfer still makes sense for Villa as Barry, who is currently with the England squad preparing for a World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan on Saturday, could leave for nothing at the end of next season.