Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho says Kaka can leave the Spanish champions this summer, but only for the right price.
The Brazilian has been linked with a return to AC Milan and was in sparkling form with two assists as Real thrashed his old club 5-1 in a friendly last night.
However, with Real still chasing Tottenham's Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil seemingly above Kaka in Mourinho's pecking order, it is likely the former World Player of the Year will become surplus to requirements once the season gets underway.
Mourinho told AS: "If Kaka stays I would be happy and I am happy if he wants to go. In football it is normal that the players play where they want.
"He is a very good footballer and prepared to be at his maximum level. If he decides to stay, then perfect. If he goes, that's perfect too but we are not going to give him away for free. Those that want him have to pay for him."
Mourinho, meanwhile, is happy with how his side's pre-season preparations are going after the destruction of the Italian giants.
Di Maria's opener had been cancelled out by Robinho to leave the score level at half-time but Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice before late goals from Sergio Ramos and Jose Maria Callejon rounded off a perfect evening for Real.
However, the Portuguese coach became the latest manager to publicly criticise the scheduling of international friendlies for next midweek, just days before the Spanish season kicks off on August 18.
"There were various motives to play some players a bit longer," he said. "For the stadium, the opponent, the marvellous crowd and the development of our own pre-season.
"There have been players who played more than 45 minutes because they have played the highest number of minutes in pre-season, whilst there are players like Cristiano who have to play more because they are part of the show. The most important thing is that it was a good training session in our pre-season preparations.
"The bad thing is though that the players leave on Monday for their national teams and don't return till Thursday, when we start the league on Sunday. I hope that the national team managers have reason with the players and the clubs.
"It is a difficult preparation. The players are preparing for the season and then they go to serve their country. We have to accept it, but it is difficult."
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani believes a deal to sign Kaka is "almost impossible" at this stage.
Galliani believes the 30-year-old's transfer fee, combined with the kind of wages he would expect, make a deal highly unlikely in the near future.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "The Kaka operation is objectively very, very difficult. It is almost impossible. Costs are high, and he has a very high salary."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments