Ray Wilkins has admitted that Chelsea were in talks with Kaka before the Brazilian playmaker opted to join Real Madrid in a £59 million move from Milan.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was widely reported to be interested in recruiting Kaka from his former club but the 2007 Fifa World Player of the Year instead moved to the Bernabeu, where he will be joined by the £80 million Cristiano Ronaldo.
Reports that Chelsea had tabled a world record bid for Kaka on June 4 were met with derision by the Premier League club, with a statement describing such claims as ‘totally untrue’.
But while Chelsea may not have firmed up their interest with an official approach, Wilkins has confirmed that they were involved in discussions with the player himself.
“We were obviously talking with Kaka but he has made his decision where he wants to play,” Wilkins told Sky Sports News.
“There is a language barrier obviously if he came to London, but he has chosen where he wishes to go.
“But we will add a few players to our squad, I am sure, and players of the utmost quality.”
Meanwhile, Wilkins has also moved to dampen speculation that Paolo Maldini could be arriving at Stamford Bridge this summer in order to begin his coaching apprenticeship under Ancelotti.
"I know him well and had the pleasure of playing with him, but I don't know if he'll come," Wilkins told Radio 5 Live.
"He's a very good friend of Carlo but I think it's too soon after his playing career - he wants a rest."