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Saturday, February 14, 2009

DAVID BECKHAM TO REJOIN L.A GALAXY AFTER AC MILAN FAILED TO SIGN HIM BEFORE THE DEADLINE.


Milan, where the former England captain is on loan, were expected to make an improved bid of £10.5 million to sign the 33-year-old before a deadline set for Friday night.
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber had insisted that a deal must be agreed before the weekend if Beckham was to leave Los Angeles Galaxy.
And in the early hours of Saturday, Tim Lewieke - president of AEG, the company that owns Galaxy - said a second bid had not been received so Beckham would return to the MLS team next month after his loan agreement with AC Milan ends.
"We didn't receive an offer today," Leiweke told The Associated Press by phone from Colorado. "We will abide by the commissioner's wishes, so we are clear at this point that we don't want to have any further conversations."
Leiweke said he had not spoken directly to Beckham, but that he informed the player's representatives the loan would not be made permanent.
Beckham's five-year Galaxy contract was owned by MLS, and his loan to Milan ends on March 8.
Leiweke added: "I know David is emotionally invested, but I don't think Milan really was that interested in spending the money we would have had to receive to compensate us for our losses.
"The negotiations are over and we move on," Leiweke said. "We look forward to seeing David back in camp. We need to have a good season and we need to live up to a higher expectation."
Leiweke confirmed that Beckham has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave at the end of this year.
"Clearly the risk is we may lose him at the end of the year," he said. "Our hope is the team surprises him and we're a lot better than last year."
Milan had already had one bid, thought to be in the region of £6m, turned down by Galaxy. However, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti had urged his club to make "sacrifices" in order to complete the signing of Beckham, who has been a revelation in Italy since joining on loan.
Beckham has continued to stress his desire to make permanent his switch to the San Siro, but Galaxy coach Bruce Arena is confident he will honour his contract rather than force his way out if a deal cannot be struck.
Arena said: "We understand his interest in wanting to stay at Milan but we need to protect the interests of the LA Galaxy first and foremost, and that's what we're doing.
"There are a variety of things we've discussed but it's not public information and when Milan give us what they feel is their best offer, we'll examine it and make a decision whether it's in the best interests of our club or not.
"If David Beckham returns, he is a good professional and he's going to play, and play well.
"David Beckham understands what a contract means. He will honour his contract, whether it's with LA Galaxy or AC Milan."
Beckham feels his fitness has improved since his temporary move from America to Italy, and playing for Milan will help him remain in the thoughts of England coach Fabio Capello.
The former England captain won his 108th international cap in the 2-0 loss against Spain and it remains his ambition to secure a place in the squad at the 2010 World Cup.
"Fitness-wise Milan has done me the world of good," Beckham said. "I'm a lot fitter than I was a few months back and even in the month and a half I've been there my fitness has gone up 100 per cent.
"That's the biggest thing. And I'm enjoying my club football which is great."
Milan, where the former England captain is on loan, were expected to make an improved bid of £10.5 million to sign the 33-year-old before a deadline set for Friday night.
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber had insisted that a deal must be agreed before the weekend if Beckham was to leave Los Angeles Galaxy.
And in the early hours of Saturday, Tim Lewieke - president of AEG, the company that owns Galaxy - said a second bid had not been received so Beckham would return to the MLS team next month after his loan agreement with AC Milan ends.
"We didn't receive an offer today," Leiweke told The Associated Press by phone from Colorado. "We will abide by the commissioner's wishes, so we are clear at this point that we don't want to have any further conversations.
"The negotiations are over and we move on," Leiweke said. "We look forward to seeing David back in camp. We need to have a good season and we need to live up to a higher expectation."
Leiweke said he had not spoken directly to Beckham, but that he informed the player's representatives the loan would not be made permanent.
Beckham's five-year Galaxy contract was owned by MLS, and his loan to Milan ends on March 8.
Leiweke added: "I know David is emotionally invested, but I don't think Milan really was that interested in spending the money we would have had to receive to compensate us for our losses."
Leiweke confirmed that Beckham has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave at the end of this year.
"Clearly the risk is we may lose him at the end of the year," he said. "Our hope is the team surprises him and we're a lot better than last year."
Milan had already had one bid, thought to be in the region of £6m, turned down by Galaxy. However, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti had urged his club to make "sacrifices" in order to complete the signing of Beckham, who has been a revelation in Italy since joining on loan.
Beckham has continued to stress his desire to make permanent his switch to the San Siro. He feels his fitness has improved since his temporary move from America to Italy, and playing for Milan will help him remain in the thoughts of England coach Fabio Capello.
The former England captain won his 108th international cap in the 2-0 loss against Spain and it remains his ambition to secure a place in the squad at the 2010 World Cup.
"Fitness-wise Milan has done me the world of good," Beckham said. "I'm a lot fitter than I was a few months back and even in the month and a half I've been there my fitness has gone up 100 per cent.
"That's the biggest thing. And I'm enjoying my club football which is great.

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