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Clubs to negotiate Shevchenko move

Shevchenko is keen for his son to learn English.

ROME, Italy -- AC MIlan are to start negotiations with Chelsea for the transfer of Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko to the English Premier League club.

"I'm leaving for family reasons," Shevchenko, a former European footballer of the year, said. "I thank the club for all they've given me. There's no relationship problem and there's no economic problem."

Adriano Galliani, vice president of AC Milan, said that the negotiations with Chelsea would "not be easy".

Galliani added: "I tried to persuade him to stay up until the last minute. It is certainly the most painful separation during my time at Milan."

"It's a victory for the English language over the Italian language."

Shevchenko is married to an American and the couple would like their children to learn English.

"We decided together for the good of the family," Shevchenko said. "I don't speak English, my wife doesn't speak Ukrainian, the only language we have in common now is Italian, but the only way to make our children understand the love we have for them is the English language."

Shevchenko has been at Milan for seven years following his move from Dynamo Kiev. During his time with the Italian club he won the Champions league in 2003 and the Italian title in 2004.

Last season Shevchenko scored 19 goals in 28 Serie A matches and also netted nine goals in the Champions League.

Shevchenko has scored 173 goals for Milan -- the second most in club history behind Gunnar Nordahl's 221 -- since joining the club in 1999.

In 2003, Shevchenko's penalty kick won Milan the Champions League in a shootout against Juventus. A year later, he led Milan to the Italian league title and won the Golden Ball as the best player in Europe.

Shevchenko will spearhead Ukraine's challenge in what will be the former Soviet Republic's first ever World Cup finals.

Knock-on effect

If the clubs reach an agreement, Shevchenko's departure would have a major knock-on effect on the transfer market with Milan searching for a top quality striker as a replacement.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has Italy internationals Alberto Gilardino and Filippo Inzaghi as his two remaining forwards but Milan fans will expect a big name to arrive if they are to accept losing their top scorer.

Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy and Inter Milan's Brazilian forward Adriano have been mentioned as possible replacements for Shevchenko by Italian newspapers.

Italy's investigations into match-fixing allegations could broaden the range of Ancelotti's options, however.

Should Juventus, at the centre of the scandal, be relegated to Serie B, their France forward David Trezeguet and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could become targets.

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