Tuesday Football

27 January 2009

by Jerrad Peters

 

Milan to make formal offer for Beckham

 

AC Milan sporting director Adriano Galliani has admitted to opening negotiations with Los Angeles Galaxy for midfielder David Beckham. Galliani made the confirmation when questioned by Sky Sport 24.

"If Beckham does come to an agreement with Galaxy, we are ready to pay a figure," he said. "In the coming days we will meet with his advisors."

Milan are thought to be preparing a 4.5-million pound offer for the 33-year-old. But as his contract is owned both by Galaxy and Major League Soccer, specific allocations of the money remain unclear.

Reports that Beckham would make a permanent transfer to Milan have circulated since he agreed a loan deal with the Serie A club in October. While he is obligated by his contract with the MLS club to return to California after March 9, his recent play with the Rossoneri has impressed teammates, fans and manager Carlo Ancelotti.

"Our desire is that he continues with us," stated the coach after Beckham's first goal for Milan helped the club to a 4-1 win at Bologna on Sunday. "When March 9 comes and he returns to America, that will sadden us because of the help he is giving his team in terms of quality of play and balance.

"But," added the 49-year-old, "In football everything is possible. Milan's position is the same as it was and no pressure will be made."

That position was clarified almost immediately by Milan owner and Italian president Silvio Berlusconi. "Beckham is a champion," he gushed. "We will try and hold onto him."

Not unexpectedly, Milan are already being met with resistance from Galaxy officials. While MLS has remained quiet on the Beckham issue, Galaxy manager Bruce Arena voiced his displeasure with the situation on Monday.

"We at L.A. Galaxy have set the highest standards during this process," he stated. "We agreed to the loan, set conditions and lived up to our part of the loan agreement." And as a shot over the bow at Ancelotti, Berlusconi, Kaka and Galliani, he added, "We can't be responsible for other club managers, presidents, players or lawyers."

Kaka, who was recently the subject of transfer scrutiny of his own, added his name to Beckham's growing list of Italian admirers when he praised the winger after the Bologna match.

"It was beautiful to see Beckham's first goal in the Rossoneri colors," he said. "He is a great professional. He puts in a lot of effort and works very hard to give a great contribution to the team. When he scored we were all delighted and we ran towards him to hug him because he is a great man. We hope he can stay longer."

If he does, it will be because Galaxy accepted Milan's offer. As Beckham is tied to the MLS club until 2012, it is they who will make the ultimate decision. That said, the England international has an escape clause written into his contract that would permit him to leave America on a free transfer in October 2009. If Galaxy dig in their heels over the coming weeks, they risk losing Beckham for nothing.

"If Los Angeles Galaxy decide not to sell him," remarked Galliani, "they won't sell him. The player wants to stay with us, but even he knows he must return to America."

 

jerradpeters@gmail.com