Los Angeles Galaxy officials had no comment on reports out of Italy on Thursday which said midfielder David Beckham is close to finalizing another loan agreement with Serie A powerhouse AC Milan.
Milan vice president Adriano Galliani told Sky Sport Italia that "David Beckham's return on loan in January is already a done deal."
Beckham first told London's The Mirror after Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Belarus that an agreement with the Italian club was "95 percent" completed. Beckham was named man of the match for his performance in England's 3-0 victory, even after coming on as a second-half substitute.
"The Milan deal is almost done and hopefully everything will be sorted out ... and I'll probably be going there at the end of December," The Mirror quoted him as saying. "I've always said I want to go back there and Milan have said they've wanted me from the time I left there."
Tim Leiweke, chief executive officer of AEG, which owns and operates the Galaxy, said at a recent "Leaders in Football" conference in London that he wanted the new Beckham loan deal done as soon as possible. He also was quoted as saying the Galaxy would be "honored" for such an agreement to be reached.
Beckham is heading overseas to improve his chances of being named to the England squad for next summer's FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled for June 11-July 11 in South Africa. Fabio Capello, coach of the English team, has said Beckham must play in Europe next year to remain under consideration.
"We have a deep appreciation of what he is doing over here with his national team," Leiweke said. "I wanted him to know that we will support him so we are going to lend him out."
Beckham, who made his 115th appearance for England on Wednesday, is expected to play in the Galaxy's game against the Dynamo in Houston on Sunday. He spent seven months with AC Milan on a previous loan deal that ended in late May. When Beckham rejoined the Galaxy in July, he was met with criticism, much of it fallout from a controversial new book that detailed his first season with the Galaxy. There also was anger from derisive Galaxy fans, one of whom Beckham confronted after a friendly against his former Italian club.
Beckham, who turns 35 next May, also is said to be among those being considered to help spearhead England's drive to host either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cups.
He has played in nine games with the Galaxy this season and has two goals and three assists.
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
