Once, not too long ago, Kaka was the best player in the world, awards and all. Now he can’t find a place in the Real Madrid squad, and as the news of Jose Mourinho announcing to the player that he’s surplus to requrierments this season and will be allowed to leave for the right price, a pretty interesting chase will probably begin.

First of all, it’s not like some cheap deal. Kaka, who turned 30 last April, did cost Real Madrid €65 million back in 2009, making him the third most expensive footballer in history after Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo. According to the rumors circulating, Kaka won’t be sold for less than €25 million, which still would make him one of the biggest transfers of the summer.

Bad luck (injuries) and a bad situation have made Kaka, who still has quite a lot of football left, as his numbers of 8 goals and 14 assists in 39 appearances (all competitions) for Real Madrid prove. He was used mostly as a sub and never in the really important matches, but I find it hard to remember a really bad match from the player who won the Ballon d’Or back in 2007 after leading AC Milan to the Champions League title.

In the beginning of the summer it was rumored that PSG, linked to about every possible expensive player in Europe, would make a move for Kaka, citing Leonardo’s connection with the player as the main reason for the transfer speculation. That didn’t turn out to be true, or just didn’t transpire. It wouldn’t be surprising to see it happen now, although PSG aren’t the only team willing to splash some cash on the player, probably.

One of the first names to come up are his former club, AC Milan, now looking for a new player to build around as Zlatan Ibrahimovic left to Paris. Kaka, just like Cristiano Ronaldo, needs to be built around and upon. He can’t be just another player in the squad and lineup. With Mesut Ozil grabbing such an important spot in Mourinho’s plans, there was no real chance for Kaka to claim back his spot as the no. 10 player. Milan might not be able to purchase Kaka or not willing to, but some sort of loan deal with an buying clause might be worked out.

There’s a Chinese option as well, although Kaka probably doesn’t feel too happy about that, despite the incredible wages he might be offered by making such a move, which is kind of declaring your career over. Kaka earns around €9 million a year playing or sitting for Real Madrid, and they would love to clear some space under the wage bill for Luka Modric.

There’s also the option of going back to Brazil, like many Brazilian players who aren’t all that anymore choose to do, with Corinthians the first name to come up as interested in the former Sao Paulo player. Again, I’m not too sure Kaka is feeling he’s done with Europe at the moment, despite the disappointing Real Madrid tenure and his age. Soon, in the next 12-24 hours, we’ll probably be swarming with names willing to take the player, although few actually willing to pay such a price.