Chelsea to boost Kaladze offer

Chelsea have had a £4million bid for Kakha Kaladze rejected by AC Milan.

The Italian club are believed to be demanding £8.5m for the Georgian left-back, who has one year left on his contract but has made clear his wish to move to Stamford Bridge.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon's opening offer was rejected in Milan yesterday and he will return to Italy next week to resurrect the deal.

The club have agreed personal terms with the 27-year-old, who is top of the wanted list ahead of Athletic Bilbao's Asier Del Horno.

Kaladze said: "I have agreed everything with Chelsea. Now it is necessary to wait for them to reach an agreement with AC Milan and I could become a Chelsea player next week."

Hernan Crespo and Juan Veron, meanwhile, are set to stay in Italy. Chelsea are hopeful of gaining a fee from Milan for Crespo at the end of next season as his contract still has three years to run, but they may just cancel Veron's contract after another year on loan at Inter.