Kaka reveals Chelsea interest

Kaka has revealed that he was close to joining Chelsea before signing for Milan.

The Brazilian schemer has established himself as one of the most gifted young players on the continent and proved his pedigree in the UEFA Champions League last season with a series of mature displays.

To land Kaka now would need an outlandish bid beyond the means of all but the richest, but the player has confirmed that Chelsea were once close to securing his services for as little as £5.1 million.

Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich proposed that Kaka should join CSKA Moscow, earn enough international caps to qualify for a UK permit, and then move on to Stamford Bridge - an idea that seemingly appealed.

''Chelsea had an interest but it wasn't to go directly to Chelsea,'' Kaka told the Daily Mail.

''It was to CSKA and from there to Chelsea.

''I would have gone without a problem. England, Spain and Italy are the most followed leagues in Brazil.

''But after negotiations with Milan became more concrete, the idea was to go to Italy.''

Milan face Manchester United on Wednesday in Europe's premier club competition and Kaka admits that it is these type of games that he has always dreamed of.

The widely anticipated clash pits Kaka with another of the world's best young players and the Milan favourite says Wayne Rooney is a talent he admires and follows.

''Manchester United is a game you anticipate, you want to come,'' he continued.

''It's the European Cup, it's something else. It's the game you dream of when you are little.

''Besides being young, Rooney is a player who has demonstrated very different ability to the English tradition.

''He's a player I follow. He has a great future.''