"Kaka has decided to leave Real Madrid"

Posted Saturday, June 16, 2012 by ESPN

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has reportedly told Sao Paulo president Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes that he wishes to leave the Spanish club.

The Brazilian international is currently in Sao Paulo and has held talks with the club's hierarchy. He's a fan favourite at the Brazilian club, having emerged through their youth ranks.

Lopes reportedly told O Globo that he has talked to the midfielder and learnt that he is looking to move clubs in the current transfer window. But the Sao Paulo supremo insisted that there would be no return to the club for the Brazilian as they do not have the financial wherewithal to match the player's current wages with Real.

"He has decided to leave Real Madrid," confirmed Lopes.

"Kaka believes that England or Spain would be two interesting destinations for him.

"Sao Paulo cannot deal with his astronomical contract.

"It is out of the reality of Brazilian football, even for the mighty Corinthians."

The 30-year-old joined AC Milan in 2003 and went on to win the Serie A title in his debut season as well as the Champions League in 2007. He went to join Real for what was then a record transfer fee of €68.5 million but has failed to live up to the lofty expectations at the Bernabeu.

In comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed shortly after Kaka for an even bigger fee, has gone on to star for the club, scoring a staggering 60 goals from 55 appearances in the last season.

It is believed that Kaka could be made available for as low as €25 million but it would be difficult for many clubs to pay the €15 million-a-year wage that he currently commands.

The Brazilian international has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City in recent seasons and latest reports of his availability could yet attract bids from the Premier League clubs.

Kaka announced as recently as in May that he wished to play a "part in future successes" with Real but it has been become increasingly apparent that Mesut Ozil has usurped his place as the club's leading creative force.

Hamit Altintop, Ricardo Carvalho and Fernando Gago could also be on the way out as Jose Mourinho looks to make way for new signings in the current transfer window to build on Los Merengues' first La Liga win in four years.