23 February
by Jerrad Peters
Milan, Galaxy disagree over Beckham's contract status
AC Milan and Los Angeles Galaxy remain almost 10 million pounds apart in their valuations of David Beckham. Currently on loan at the San Siro, Beckham is due back in California on March 9 unless the two sides can agree a transfer fee.
At the crux of the quarrel between the Serie A giants and the Major League Soccer outfit are varying interpretations of Beckham's current deal with Los Angeles. According to Galaxy, the 33-year-old is under contract for another three seasons and, as such, any fee for his services must recognize that time frame.
Milan, on the other hand, view any transfer as merely an extension of the player's current loan deal. Rossoneri sporting director Adriano Galliani confirmed his club's stance, Saturday, when he stated, "Milan has made an offer that it considers fair for an eight month loan. As [Tim] Leiweke (president and chief executive of Anschutz Entertainment Group—the consortium that owns the club) confirmed, on November 30 David can become a free agent at no cost."
The offer—believed to be 3 million pounds—was immediately rejected by Leiweke, who labeled the bid "ridiculous" and maintained the two sides remained far apart in negotiations.
"With that figure," he said, "Galaxy don't even cover the damages deriving from the shortfalls of not selling his shirts."
But Milan are unlikely to significantly bolster their bid. Given Beckham's age and his ability to opt out of his contract on a free transfer in November, they are reluctant to overpay for a player that has a far different appeal in North America than in Italy.
"In the United States they look at the commercial aspect," commented Galliani. "Instead, in Europe in the transfers, the technical aspect prevails." He continued, "The budget that I have at my disposal is already at a maximum between the salaries and the transfers."
Galliani also recognizes that Beckham has left Galaxy in an almost impossible position. With the winger having clearly expressed a desire to remain in Milan, Los Angeles are being forced to choose between accepting Milan's best offer and trying to coax Beckham back to California, knowing all the while that he probably won't return under any circumstances.
"David is a friend of mine and asked me to listen to what Milan proposed," said Leiweke. "I have said yes, because of him. But I will not be taken for a ride, and hence, on March 9, Beckham will be in Los Angeles and will work with the same seriousness and dedication as before."
Milan, for their part, will simply wait out the next two weeks and wait for Galaxy to buckle under the pressure. As it becomes evident that Beckham's spell in the United States is over, Galliani is confident that Leiweke will accept his terms.
"I have the experience to know the price of a player," said the Italian. "And according to the European parameters, there is no sense in spending more."
Galatasaray make coaching change
Already eight points adrift of leaders Sivasspor in the title race, fifth-place Galatasaray sacked manager Michael Skibbe, Monday, after suffering a 5-2 loss at home to lowly Kocaelispor. Skibbe—the former Bayer Leverkusen manager who replaced Karl-Heinz Feldkamp after the German resigned his position last spring—lasted just eight months in the job and has been replaced by Bulent Korkmaz.
A former Turkey international defender, Korkmaz helped keen Genclerbirligi in the top flight of Turkish football last season and returns to the side he represented as a player from 1984 to 2005.
Galatasaray chairman Adnan Polat is believed to have originally targeted Gheorghe Hagi for the job. But when the 44-year-old Romanian and demanded an extended contract, Polat opted for Korkmaz instead.
The first game for the new boss will come on Thursday when Galatasaray host Bordeaux at Ali Sami Yen Stadium in the second leg of their Round of 32 UEFA Cup tie. They drew 0-0 in France last week.
jerradpeters@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment