Milan will consider offers for Pirlo, says Berlusconi

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=4716

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has said he will consider offers for Andrea Pirlo after being stunned by the size of the Italy midfielder's salary.

Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf

LaurenceGriffiths/GettyImages

Andrea Pirlo: Huge wages at San Siro

Berlusconi had previously said no more big names would leave the San Siro after they sold Brazil playmaker Kaka to Real Madrid for £56m earlier this month but the Rossoneri chief has had a change of heart.

"If there's an offer, it should be considered," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "We'll see. I was the first to say that he must stay, but then they showed me the sums (for his salary)."

Chelsea are leading the race to sign the 30-year-old, who is thought to earn almost £6m a season, with former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti keen to be reunited with the World Cup winner at Stamford Bridge.

Pirlo has a contract that runs through to 2012 and Milan are reportedly asking for £20m to part with the midfielder.

Meanwhile, Andriy Shevchenko wants to honour his contract with Chelsea and will report for pre-season training with the Blues on July 9.

The Ukraine forward, who spent last season on loan at Milan, has one year left on his contract and intends to see it out.

"On July 9 I will join Chelsea in pre-season training," Shevchenko told Corriere dello Sport. "Then we will see what happens."

The 32-year-old hopes the arrival of Ancelotti at Chelsea will allow him to prove his worth. "I have spoken to the coach who has given me an appointment for pre-season training," he said.

"I have one year left on my contract with Chelsea and I intend to respect it and honour it in the best possible way."

Shevchenko's second spell at Milan proved unsuccessful with the striker scoring twice in nine starts for the Rossoneri last term.

Serie A club Roma are reportedly keen to acquire Shevchenko's services but the player insists his priority is to stay at Chelsea.

"If there was a concrete offer then I would evaluate it together with Chelsea," said Shevchenko.

"If it will not be possible to continue my career at Chelsea then I will look at other options.

"I consider (Roma coach Luciano) Spalletti a great coach, serious and prepared.

"He is able to bring out the best of his players.

"When I met him there was a good feeling between us."

Milan used to have a great midfield, with Kaka piercing defences with his speed, and Pirlo bambozzling defenders with his quality passes. Now that we have lost one, and the other is seriously out of form, we should consider a revamp of our mids. Out Pirlo, in another playmaker. I know, it won't happen, but its a dream of mine and probably many of yours'!