City Target Kaka Starts For Milan v Fiorentina

Fans of the seven-times European champions were expected to protest against the potential move.

Kaka was named in AC Milan's team for Saturday's home game with Fiorentina after Manchester City made a bid for the player in midweek estimated by media reports to have been in excess of 100 million euros ($132.6 million).

Fans of the seven-times European champions were expected to protest against the potential move after owner Silvio Berlusconi said earlier on Saturday that it would be hard to hold on to the Brazilian international.

Kaka's future has been the subject of frenzied speculation and City manager Mark Hughes described the situation as hysterical on Saturday, saying negotiations to take the playmaker to the Premier League were at an early stage.

"We sent a delegation to Milan, that's well documented, and negotiations are ongoing," Hughes told the BBC after his team's 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

"It's something we would like to do but it's a long way from being concluded. What we must do is go through the process and investigate every angle.

OUT OF ORDER

"Some of the hysteria around the possible transfer has been a little out of order because the level of salary is nowhere near to being discussed at this moment."

Media reports suggest City are offering Kaka, the former world player of the year, 500,000 pounds per week.

"Where they get the figures I don't know," Hughes said. "People need to calm down. People are thinking of numbers and doubling them."

Kaka was joined in Milan's team on Saturday by loan signing David Beckham, who will make his home debut.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, left Ronaldinho on the bench.