Berlusconi rules out Beckham swoop

Italian prime minister and AC Milan owner-president Silvio Berlusconi ruled out a move for David Beckham in emphatic terms today when questioned by reporters on his trip to the Middle East.

Berlusconi, who still makes all the major decisions in the running of the club although he leaves his deputy Adriano Galliani in day-to-day control, could hardly have been more candid when asked about whether he would buy the Manchester United midfielder.

“There are many better ways of spending money, earned with such sacrifice, rather than signing Mr Beckham,” said Berlusconi to Italian reporters in Jerusalem.