Losing Kaka might not be disaster for Milan

Milan have confirmed that chief executive Adriano Galliani met Manchester City officials to talk about Kaka "out of courtesy".

Media reports have speculated City, the richest club in the world, bid 100 million euros ($132.5 million) for the 26-year-old.

Club president Silvio Berlusconi has added a note of caution this time, though, saying: "I hope he is not for sale."

A smaller club would bite City's hands off if such a sum was offered but Milan would not be forced to sell simply for financial reasons.

In any case, Milan do have a free, ready made replacement for Kaka. France's Yoann Gourcuff is on loan at Bordeaux from the San Siro and has been in sparkling form.

"He is an excellent player," Galliani said. "There will definitely be space for him at Milan."

He won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA world player in 2007 but lost both titles to Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.