TRANSFER NEWS:BRAZIL AND AC Milan playmaker Kaka has undergone a medical at the request of Real Madrid, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed yesterday.
The CBF said that Kaka – one of the Spanish club's main transfer targets – was examined in Recife, where Brazil face Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier tomorrow night ( live on Sky Sports 1, kick-off 2am, Irish-time, on Thursday).
“The Brazilian team’s technical staff agreed to a request from Kaka and the directors of Real Madrid and released the player to undergo routine exams at a clinic in Recife,” said the statement.
“The CBF accepted the role of making the logistical arrangements for the exam, through the head of the medical department, Dr Jose Luiz Runco, who accompanied the player during the exams to which he was submitted.”
Kaka, who scored a penalty in Brazil’s 4-0 win in Uruguay on Saturday, has refused to discuss his future since joining up with the Brazil squad last Tuesday. Brazil coach Dunga also asked the players to forget about transfers until after the Paraguay match, but he appeared to be swimming against the tide.
Globo television said three Real Madrid directors plus the team doctor also accompanied the exams. Kaka is also due to play for Brazil at the Confederations Cup in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill has dismissed suggestions that Aston Villa have offered a two-year contract to Michael Owen.
Owen’s future has been the subject of intense speculation since Newcastle suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.
The striker has been linked with several top-flight sides after rejecting reports that he could quit football this summer and Villa it was suggested were prepared to hand Owen a two-year deal with a further 12-month option dependent on injuries and goals.
However, Villa have released a statement on their official website to make it clear that there is no truth in the reports.
“Martin O’Neill has this evening dismissed stories suggesting Villa have offered Michael Owen a two-year contract,” read the statement.
O’Neill has lost the services of Gareth Barry to Manchester City and former captain Martin Laursen through his enforced retirement with a knee problem.
Tottenham, Everton and Roma are also being linked with Owen.
O’Neill, when asked in January if he would be interested in signing Owen this summer, said: “We would see. Like everything else, football is evolving all the time.That’s not to say Michael Owen is not a terrific footballer. What happens in the future, I don’t know.”
Villa striker John Carew has insisted he is happy to remain at the club after also being linked with a move to Eastlands.
Carew was Villa’s top scorer for the second successive season with 15 goals despite being sidelined for three months with a back problem.
