Rome - AC Milan are looking to kick off a virtuous financial
course after the lucrative sale of Brazil star Kaka to Real Madrid.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported Wednesday that new arrival from
Porto, Aly Cissokho, will cost the Devils 10 times less than what
they paid the Brazil international.
Although it's hard to compare the 2007 FIFA world player to the
the 21-year-old French defender, Cissokho's pay per season
substantially helps the Devils' efforts to balance their budget by
slimming contracts.
Cissokho, if he passes further medical tests requested by AC
Milan, is expected to cost Milan 2 million euros (2.7 million
dollars), half of which goes in his pocket, while Kaka weighed on
Milan's budget for 20 million euros, which covered his pay and taxes.
A substantial reduction estimated at 54 million has been made
possible by several departures, beside that of Kaka, which yielded
Milan 64.5 millions.
Veterans Andriy Shevchenko, costing the club 10 million, Brazilian
Emerson, Englishman David Beckham, the young Swiss Philippe Senderos
and the retiring Paolo Maldini allowed a reduction of 54 millions -
about 30 per cent of the 172 millions spent for players in the past
season.
Brazilian Ronaldinho, despite having been fielded scarcely, is now
Milan's top-earning player at 8 millions net per season, meaning 16
for the club's coffers.
International Andrea Pirlo trails on 6.5 million net, while Dutch
veteran Clarence Seedorf cashes in 5 millions.
There could be trouble in case the red-blacks manage to snatch
striker Edin Dzeko from German champions Wolfsburg as the Bosnian
striker, 23, is unlikely to accept a transfer for a net pay of 2.5
millions.
A raise, despite the financial austerity, is likely for Brazilian
forward Alexandre Pato, 19, who expects to earn more than the current
1 million net, and is being chased by English giants Chelsea.
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