Kaka's transfer deal still in doubt

LONDON: Manchester City's reported world record bid for AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka hung in the balance yesterday with conflicting reports on how the transfer talks were progressing.

City manager Mark Hughes said yesterday he remains hopeful that Kaka would join the Premier League club, with his assistant claiming a deal was "very close."

A reported 100 million pound ($145 million) bid was tabled by the English club earlier this week for the 26-year-old star and former FIFA world player of the year.