Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka appeared to suggest that Kaka could be on his way out of the Bernabeu following his omission from Jose Mourinho’s squad for a pre-season friendly against Oviedo.
Kaka has been regularly linked with a move away from Real over the past 12 months, after struggling to justify the then-world record fee of £50.7 million (€65 million) the club paid AC Milan for his services in 2009.
The Brazil international, who was named World Footballer of the Year in 2007, has been plagued with injuries since arriving at the Bernabeu and has found himself out of favour with Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho, who has preferred to utilise Mesut Ozil in the playmaker role.
Reports in Spain claim Kaka met with Mourinho and Real director general Jose Angel Sanchez on Monday and was told he was surplus to requirements before subsequently being left in Madrid as his team-mates travelled to face Oviedo.
And while Karanka did not explicitly state Kaka’s time was up after watching Real win 5-1 in the pre-season friendly, he hinted that discussions about a possible exit are ongoing.
“We decided he should stay in Madrid [rather than travel with the squad]. Kaka and the club are working to find a solution that is good for both parties.” Karanka said. “Ricardo is one of our players and an example of professionalism.”
Kaka has been linked with a return to Milan and also to big-spending PSG, managed by Carlo Ancelotti – his former coach at the San Siro.