CHELSEA JOIN KIKO CHASE
CHELSEA are believed to be the English side in the chase for Atletico Madrid striker Kiko, although the Spanish international has his heart set on a move to Milan.
Francisco Narvaez Machon Kiko, to give him his full name, surprisingly stayed with the capital club, despite their relegation from the top flight last term, but the disappointing start to the new campaign has forced the 28-year-old to reconsider his options.
Atletico want a sizeable fee for the forward, although he believes he should be able to move on a free transfer, and his buy-out clause was dependent upon Atletico climbing straight back into La Primera Liga.
Italian giants Milan enjoy a good relationship with the Spanish side, the deals involving Jose Mari and Jose Chamot prove that, and Kiko feels this is why he will be allowed to move to The San Siro, despite claims that he has failed a medical.
"Milan does not want to have problems with Atletico," said Kiko.
Yet Chelsea could offer the 1992 Olympic hero an alternative route out of Madrid, with Claudio Ranieri a great admirer of someone who played under him at Vicente Calderon.
The Londoners have a surfeit of classy forwards already at their disposal, including Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Gianfranco Zola, Tore Andre Flo and Eidur Gudjohnsen, but Kiko is more of a creator than an out-and-out goalscorer and he could offer several new options - including playing out wide.
Ranieri is keen to stamp his own influence on his new club, but Chelsea are rumoured to have had an interest in the Cadiz-born star even before they appointed the Italian as their coach.
Newcastle and Aston Villa have also been linked in Spain with a move for the front-man, but he would certainly not come cheaply.
It appears as though negotiations will need to continue as Kiko resolves his future - he has pledged to battle on for the club he joined from Cadiz back in 1993 - but he is willing to call time on his career with Atletico.
Meanwhile, Christian Panucci has denied that he has returned to Internazionale, claiming he is happy to stay in England and that he has not fallen out with Ranieri.
Roberto Di Matteo has had a lot of surgical work done on his badly broken leg but he has now returned to London.
"I hope to return in the summer," revealed the Italian midfielder.
