MLS confirm Beckham Milan talks

Major League Soccer have confirmed David Beckham is in talks over a possible loan move to AC Milan but insisted any deal would only be short-term.

AC Milan confirmed on Wednesday their desire to sign Beckham in January with initial speculation being that Beckham would head to Italy for six months.

However, in a statement issued late on Wednesday night, MLS said the deal would be restricted to around two to three months to allow Beckham to return to Los Angeles in time for the start of the 2009 MLS season in late March.

“Discussions have taken place between AC Milan and the Los Angeles Galaxy regarding the possibility of a short-term loan agreement that would allow David Beckham to play for AC Milan during the MLS offseason,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said.

“Those discussions are ongoing. David remains an LA Galaxy player and will be here for the start of the 2009 MLS season.”

Los Angeles Galaxy have so far declined to comment on any possible deal.

Beckham, 33, wants to remain match fit through the MLS off-season in order to keep alive his chances of playing for England.

Beckham was told by England boss Fabio Capello that he would not be considered for the planned friendly in Spain if he was not playing club football at the time of the match.

A move for two to three months would have obvious benefits for Beckham, who with 107 caps is 18 appearances short of equalling the England record held by Peter Shilton.

Only last week, Capello stressed Beckham has a key role to play for the foreseeable future with England, but that hinges on him playing games, the more competitive the better.

Beckham will be submitting to intense scrutiny if he moves to Milan, given he has spent more than a year in the relatively weak American league, and Capello - who had two spells as boss of the Rossoneri – would pay keen attention to his performances.

Beckham is under contract with the LA Galaxy until 2012 but their season finishes on Sunday.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: “We are speaking with his agent but we believe he will arrive for some months on a free loan.

“We shall register him for some months and then he will leave. Beckham has chosen Milan. Our squad is ultra-competitive and it will remain this way, but Beckham is something different and intriguing.”

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said: “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.”

Former Milan and England striker Luther Blissett believes the move to Italy would pay off for Beckham.

“If he’s really going to be part of this England revolution he’s got to be playing regular, top-class football with top-class players,” Blissett told Setanta Sports News.

“I think he’d make a great addition to what they have. And for Beckham to be playing alongside the likes of Kaka and (Clarence) Seedorf in midfield would be great for him as much as it would be for Milan.”

There can be no guarantee of Beckham playing every week, given Milan have Kaka, Seedorf, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo to select from in midfield.

But a move taking him to Milan possibly until March, allowing him to return to the United States for the start of the MLS campaign, would at least allow him to see some first-team action and remain match fit.

England have a busy start to 2009. They have a probable friendly against Spain lined up for February, plus a home friendly against Slovakia in March, and World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine in April, and Kazakhstan and Andorra in June.

Milan expect Beckham’s proposed move to bring more supporters through the San Siro turnstiles.

Galliani told acmilan.com: “Beckham will most likely bring more fans rather than fewer ones to the stadium.”

And sports business expert Professor Simon Chadwick, commenting on behalf of Weber Shandwick Sport, said: “Brand Beckham is still a global phenomenon and even in these difficult economic times, his star appeal in parts of the world such as the Middle East and Asia will see AC Milan netting up to £10million, just for a short stay.

“Many of the world’s finest footballers have represented the Rossoneri, but Beckham is in his own league when it comes to global impact.”

Beckham’s prospective loan move has been welcomed by Serie A players as a signing that would benefit the league.

“We all know he is a great champion,” said Udinese’s Italy striker Antonio di Natale. “He will have no problem playing in our league, the league will be even better with him playing in it. We look forward to seeing him.”