Andriy Shevchenko's unhappy spell in England could be over with the striker reported to be on the verge of rejoining AC Milan from Chelsea.
Rumours in Italy of a one-year loan deal were followed by comments from Milan
director Silvano Ramaccioni, who revealed 'there really isn't much more to be
done' to take Shevchenko back to the San Siro.
The Ukraine striker has endured two disappointing years at Stamford Bridge
following a big-money move from Milan.
Reports suggest Shevchenko could return to Milan in what would initially be a
season-long loan deal following a meeting between former club president Silvio
Berlusconi and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in Sardinia last Thursday.
The Italian press claim the deal will be finalised on Thursday, or at the latest
Friday, and Ramaccioni agrees.
He told Radio Radio: 'The manner of the negotiations doesn't surprise me,
because I know how much the president appreciated Sheva, how many times he said
he tried to bring him back to Milan and now he's succeeded.'
Ramaccioni told another radio station, Radio Goal, a deal was as good
as done.
'We are close to the end of the deal and I hope that these little things that
have to be fulfilled are done as soon as possible,' he revealed.
'I would be extremely delighted if Shevchenko returns to Milan and I am ready
to embrace the Ukraine champion again, for us it's about a return home.'
Coach Carlo Ancelotti was less forthcoming on negotiations, but insisted the
Ukraine international would have no problems fitting back into life with the
Rossoneri.
'There's nothing official, he's still a Chelsea player,' he told Corriere
dello Sport.
'Is it a problem for players returning? We have become used to confronting the
challenges, sometimes everything has gone well, other times not so well.
'It depends on the motivation the players have when they come here, however
Milan never has had a problem managing their players.'
Still, despite all the positive talk coming from his colleague Ramaccioni,
Ancelotti insisted no deal had yet been done.
He also added Shevchenko's possible arrival would not necessarily signal the
end of the Rossoneri's activity in the transfer market, as Milan struggle to
find cover for their defence.
He said: 'At any rate, in general, it is not certain that Shevchenko will come
and it is not certain that the market will be closed if Shevchenko arrives.'
Shevchenko remains AC Milan's second most prolific goalscorer of all time
having scored 127 goals in 208 games during a seven-year stint.
