Galaxy: Beckham back to Los Angeles; Milan: not so fast, pal

With the passing of a MSL imposed deadline for a David Beckham transfer deal to be brokered, the LA Galaxy are suggesting that the former England captain will be back in the US for the start of their season.  AC Milan, meanwhile, is suggesting that they’re still exploring options to keep Beckham in Italy.

Beckham is currently playing ‘on loan’ with the Italy Serie A club, but both he and club officials want to make the arrangement permanent.  Beckham has become a fan favorite in Italy, while revitalizing his playing career.  The superstar midfielder has become an integral part of the Milan lineup, to the extent that the team is willing to pay the Galaxy a huge ‘transfer fee’ for his rights.

The Galaxy, however, appear more interested in holding up the Italian club than entering into serious negotiations.  The team has already turned down a 6.7 million Euro (over $8.5 million US dollar) transfer fee offer.  Team coach and GM Bruce Arena indicated that with the passing of the deadline that Beckham’s return to Los Angeles is a done deal:

"Today's deadline imposed by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber regarding a resolution of David Beckham's potential transfer to AC Milan has passed and we did not receive an acceptable offer for the player.

"As a result, David remains an LA Galaxy player and we look forward to having him back with the club starting March 9.''

Tim Leiweke, CEO of Galaxy owners AEG tried to suggest that ‘it wasn’t about the money’:

“He will be back here on March 9, and we don't want to entertain any more conversations now. It is a distraction to (Galaxy coach) Bruce Arena, the team and the fans, and we move on. That's the last we're going to talk about this.''

"They'll come back (with another offer), sure they will. But we owe it to our fans (not to consider it).”

The tone of both Arena and Leiweke would no doubt change were AC Milan to capitulate to their reported transfer fee demand of a cool 10 million Euros ($12.89 million US).  No one on the Galaxy side would confirm this number, of course, but it has been widely reported in the European soccer media.

AC Milan chairman Adriano Galliani, meanwhile, dismissed the MLS imposed deadline as a ‘tactic’ and indicated that he remains hopeful that Beckham will stay in Italy:

"In the meantime Beckham is here at Milan, we'll see what happens in a month or so. It's (the deadline) is a tactic.”

Beckham is set to play in his first Milan Derby on Saturday against rival Inter Milan.  Galliani hopes it’ll be the first of many:

"I cannot know if it will be Beckham's last derby. My hope is that he can play lots more with the same shirt. At the moment he's an indispensable player for Milan."

Beckham’s spokesman indicated that his client was focused on the forthcoming game and would be plotting his next move on Monday:

"David is focused on the Milan derby this Sunday. We will be addressing this early next week”

One option available to Beckham should the Galaxy remain recalcitrant is to buy out his contract.  AIG’s Leiweke’s response to that suggestion bordered on a threat:

"I don't think that's his intent. Nor would I encourage him to even think about that.''