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David Beckham could soon be playing in Serie A for Italian
giants AC Milan if the club are successful in a bid to land the Los
Angles Galaxy star on loan.
How David Beckham might look in the red and black of
Milan.
The former England captain is determined to keep his place in
the national team and a spell on loan in Europe during the Major
League Soccer close season could be beneficial.
On Wednesday Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said he was
confident that Beckham would arrive at the San Siro, however it is
understood the 33-year-old has yet to commit to the deal, which if
confirmed is expected to begin in January.
Questioned by reporters at Milan's Malpensa airport, Galliani
said: ''We are speaking with his agent but we believe he will
arrive for some months on a free loan.''
''Beckham has chosen Milan. Our squad is ultra-competitive and
it will remain this way, but Beckham is something different and
intriguing.''
Beckham is under contract with LA Galaxy but their regular
season finishes on Sunday after the club failed to reach the MLS's
end of season play-offs, however Beckham would not be available
immediately because of his key role in Galaxy's forthcoming
promotional tour of Australia and New Zealand. Even so, with the
transfer window closed Milan are unable to sign Beckham until the
turn of the year.
Last weekend Galliani said that Beckham would be invited to
train with Milan during the coming months in order retain his
fitness and remain part of Fabio Capello's plans for the England
national side, much as he did last season when he trained with
Arsenal.
However, while Arsenal never sought to field Beckham in a
competitive game, Milan are hoping to capitalise on the
availability of the dead-ball specialist.
It is not the first time Beckham had been linked with the
Rossoneri, with contact thought to have been made between the
player's representatives and Milan before the player left Real
Madrid for the United States in 2007.
Milan head coach Carlo Ancelotti has given the blessing for the
former Manchester United midfielder to join up with his squad to
provide more competition for places and is looking forward to
working with Beckham, who won his 107th England cap in the World
Cup qualifying victory over Belarus last week.
Ancelotti told the club's website:''For me it will be a
pleasure, Beckham is a serious athlete, a great professional. If he
is available for four months with us, we will be very happy.''
England boss Fabio Capello has been pleased with Beckham's
contribution this year, although he has recently been a fringe
member of the squad.
If Beckham moves to Milan - Capello's former club - then he will
have the chance to demonstrate in Serie A that he remains a
world-class player. Regular club football would almost certainly
help his England prospects.
England have a busy start to 2009. They have a probable friendly
against Spain lined up for February, a home friendly against
Slovakia in March, plus World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine in
April, and Kazakhstan and Andorra in June.