Sheva confirms Milan exit

Chelsea target Andrei Shevchenko has confirmed that he is leaving Milan.

Andrei Shevchenko has confirmed that he is leaving Milan, with a move to Chelsea in the pipeline for the Ukrainian striker.

At a press conference in Milan, the classy forward expressed his intention to quit the Rossoneri and the Serie A side accept they must negotiate a transfer to the big-spending Premiership champions.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is a great admirer of the former Dynamo Kiev striker and will be delighted with the developments.

"I am leaving for family reasons, stated Shevchenko. "I want to thank the club for everything it has given to me.

"There's no problem regarding my relationship with anyone in the club or any financial problems."

The potential move casts a major doubt over the future of Hernan Crespo and possibly unsettled Ivory Coast attacker Didier Drogba, despite Jose Mourinho's determination to keep the African ace.

The 2004 European Footballer of the Year scored the winning penalty that won the UEFA Champions League against Juventus at Old Trafford in 2003, but had a spot-kick saved last year when Liverpool triumphed in Europe's premier competition.

Shevchenko scored 175 goals for Milan, the second-highest tally of all time, and had always expressed his desire to remain with the San Siro outfit.

However, the lure of a move to London and the riches on offer at Stamford Bridge have proved too difficult to resist and a move looks a formality providing the two clubs can thrash out a deal.

Milan's vice-president Adriano Galliani explained how painful the transfer will be for the club.

"It's a victory of the English language over the Italian language," said Galliani.

"I've tried to convince him to stay, even one minute prior to the press conference.

"This is certainly the most painful divorce since I have been at Milan and, from now on, we will begin negotiations with Chelsea.

"But it will not be easy."