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LONDON —Manchester City’s pursuit of Kaka intensified Thursday, and AC Milan granted the midfielder permission to negotiate directly with the English team. AC Milan said it was considering a higher bid, reportedly worth up to $157 million, for the 26-year-old. Kaka, the 2007 FIFA player of the year, has said he wants to “grow old” at Milan and become captain. His spokesman, Diogo Kotscho, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the player will listen to City’s proposals. “It’s an exaggeration what they are saying in England, that it’s almost a done deal, and it’s an exaggeration that Kaka has rejected the offer,” Kotscho said. “Milan has authorized the negotiation with Manchester City. … The next step now is that Kaka’s father (Bosco Leite) will eventually talk to Manchester City.” Leite, also his son’s chief adviser, is likely to travel to England soon to assess what City has to offer, Kotscho said. Milan used its TV channel to discuss City’s bid. “There is an offer from Manchester City for Kaka, and it is being considered by Milan,” channel director Mauro Suma said. “Pondered does not mean decided or accepted. We’re not looking at a decision taken or something done. There are still hours and days ahead.” If the transfer goes through, the reported amount would smash the world’ record, set in 2001 when Real Madrid signed Zinedine Zidane from Juventus for $65 million. Kaka, FIFA’s player of the year in 2007, indicated on Wednesday that he would remain at Milan, but said “if one day they want to sell me, then it’s a different story.” Associated Press Writer Tales Azzoni in Sao Paulo, Brazil contributed to this report
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