Cafu free for Milan move

The Roma defender was reported to have signed a deal with Marinos at the start of the year, where he is due to join the Japanese club in July when his current contract expires.

However, the 32-year-old World Cup winner denied he had agreed to a move to the Far East, and prefers to remain in Italy for a few more years.

Milan had said that they were interested in Cafu but were waiting to see how the situation with Yokohama would progress before making a move.

However, Marinos president Shigeo Hidarimoto, who is clearly disappointed with the player, told the Japanese media that Cafu is now free to join any club he chooses.

"If he (Cafu) doesn't want to come and play for us, there isn't a great deal we can do about it," said Hidarimoto.

"He's free to join Milan if he wishes to."

Milan may now move full steam ahead with the transfer, to see the Brazilian World Cup winner remain in Serie A.