The brilliant Brazilian’s personal assistant and adviser, Diogo Kotscho, claimed the player had set his heart on playing for the Stamford Bridge club.

“Real Madrid offered 90 million euros (£71m) last summer and Milan did not even think about the bid,” said Kotscho.

“But this time is different. This is the first time we feel that a deal will definitely happen.

“Because of the situation Milan are in at the moment, the deal is good for all parties involved. The move would represent a significant increase in Kaka’s salary, on top of the 10 per cent transfer fee that goes straight to the player anyway – some £12m.

“Chelsea are the club to be at right now. They are building a team to win everything.”

Chelsea are the club to be at right now.

Kaka's personal assistant and adviser Diogo Kotscho

If the move goes ahead, Kaka would be reunited with Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who handed him a Brazil debut in 2002 at the age of 20, and then included him in the squad that went on to win the World Cup that year.

Milan signed Kaka’s international teammate Ronaldinho last Wednesday, despite their well-publicised financial difficulties – a move that might prove to have opened the way for Kaka’s departure.