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AC Milan negotiating to keep David Beckham
2009-01-27
MILAN, Italy - AC Milan plans to meet with David Beckham's agents to see if the former England captain can get out of his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy and stay with the Serie A club. "If Beckham reaches an agreement with the Galaxy, we are prepared to pay a fee," Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said Tuesday. "We will meet with his representatives in the next few days." Beckham is on a two-month loan from the Galaxy and is due to return to Major League Soccer on March 9. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player scored his first goal for Milan in Sunday's 4-1 victory over Bologna. "If he decides to free himself and wants to (stay), we will welcome him with open arms, but he belongs to another club and we've got to thank them because they were very kind with us," Galliani said, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport Web site. "On March 9, his contract (with Milan) is up and we don't want to slight anyone. (Beckham) wants to stay with us, but he also knows that he has to go back to America." Beckham has started all three of Milan's matches since he arrived, and the Rossoneri have not lost, drawing with AS Roma and beating Fiorentina and Bologna. Beckham has started all three of Milan's matches since he arrived, and the Rossoneri have beaten AS Roma, Fiorentina and Bologna. England coach Fabio Capello will attend Milan's match against Genoa on Wednesday to assess Beckham's form. "Barring any unforeseen changes in his schedule, he will be at the San Siro," Capello's son and manager, Pierfilippo, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Beckham is hoping to be called up by Capello for a friendly against Spain on Feb. 11 and equal Bobby Moore's record of 108 England appearances for an outfield player. "Beckham wrote me a message after the Bologna game," Capello's assistant, Franco Baldini, told the Gazzetta. "He was happy about the goal and I told him he's got to continue this way." Beckham's ultimate goal is to make England's team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. (This version CORRECTS AC Milan record since Beckham joined club)
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