Milan direct of communications, Vittoria Mentana, has insisted that Kaka is not for sale, despite rumours he is close to making a move to Chelsea…

The Blues have been linked somewhat tentatively with the World Player of the Year over the past couple of months, but only in the last 24 hours has speculation heightened, with rumours rife the Rossoneri are ready to cash in on their star man, with Ronaldinho signed and capable of acting as his replacement.

The club remain in some financial difficulty after failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, and vice president Adriano Galliani even alluded to the possibility of selling Kaka or Andrea Pirlo to alleviate the financial stress they are currently under, but insisted the club would not be forced into such a position.

Yet the rumours have persisted and quotes this morning emerged from Kaka himself, who said he was unsure on what will happen in the near future, revealing that two teams are in pursuit of his services, the other thought to be long-term admirers Real Madrid, who were rebuffed in an approach for him last summer.

The conventional wisdom remains that the Brazilian will remain at San Siro, where he was on numerous occasions expressed the desire to go down in history as a club legend along with the likes of Paolo Maldini.

Now, communications director Mentana has told the club’s official website the 26-year-old’s situation remains as it always has been: he is not for sale, and contracted until 2013.

“Kaka is absolutely not for sale,” read the brief but telling statement.

Ref From Santino Santoro, Goal.com

Barcelona central defender Rafael Márquez has indicated he wants to become a reference point for the team.

The Mexican international has been a regular piece in the Barcelona defense since his transfer from Monaco in 2003.

Márquez showed himself as an ambitious man during the first press conference of the season, having expressed his desire to become “a reference for the team” and one of Barça’s captains.

“It would be an honour to be the captain. I already have experience with the national team and I would like to be a pillar in the team,” said the defender, who admitted that his goal is to play the “highest number of games possible” this season.

When quizzed on the new coach, Josep Guardiola, Márquez did not wish to compare him with Frank Rijkaard.

“Every coach has his own methods,” he said.

The 29-year-old defender, who himself had been linked with a move away, also commented on Ronaldinho Gaucho’s sale, emphasizing the Brazilian’s impact.

“He gave a lot to the club. He is an excellent player and he left through the big door,” he explained.

On Alexander Hleb’s first training with Barça, Márquez said: “He was fine but he showed he lacked rhythm because we had already trained for three days.”

Ref From Luís Mira - goal.com

AC Milan star Kaka has trumpeted the arrival of his Brazilian team-mate Ronaldinho.

After a chase that dates back several seasons already, Milan finally managed to convince Barcelona to sell Ronaldinho late on Tuesday for a reported fee of €21m, and Kaka couldn’t be more pleased.

“I am very happy with the arrival of Ronaldinho because he brings a lot of quality and skill to Milan that will help us to win titles,” Kaka was quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

Ronaldinho and Kaka will form a mouthwatering Brazilian attack-tandem along with Alexandre Pato, which promises to make AC Milan hightlights that extra bit special next season.

Rossoneri fans will have to wait until September for the Samba show to start at the San Siro, however, as it has been confirmed that both Ronaldinho and Pato will be representing their country in the Olympics next summer.

Ref From Derek Wanner - Goal.com