Milan want to keep Beckham until 2010

Published on Wednesday 18 February 2009 22:28

AC MILAN are willing to sign David Beckham until at least the end of next season, according to a source at the Italian club.

The England midfielder, on a two-month loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy until 9 March, has said he wants to stay with the Serie A club as he tries to increase his chances of playing at a fourth World Cup in 2010.

"We hope to sign Beckham until at least 30 June, 2010," an AC Milan source said. The former England captain will be 35 by the start of the next World Cup in South Africa.

Milan remain confident of sealing a deal by tomorrow after a deadline imposed by Major League Soccer to complete the move passed last week.

Gandini was expected to leave today to negotiate the transfer.

"The meeting was cancelled by Los Angeles Galaxy, but this does not jeopardise anything," the Milan source said.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said on Tuesday there was still "a bit of distance" between the two sides over the deal, but talks have been continuing.

Various estimates of the transfer fee required by Galaxy have been cited by the media after Milan's opening offer of 5million was turned down.

Some reports have said Galaxy want about 12million while Milan sources say they are only willing to go to eight.

Beckham has already voiced his desire to remain with the Serie A club.

&#149 Seven AC Milan fans have been arrested following violence at Sunday's Milan derby. Police claimed the fans have been held on charges of aggravated violence and actual bodily harm.

During the match, which Inter Milan won 2-1, Milan fans dropped a banner on to Inter fans in the tier below.

When the Milan fans went to retrieve the banner scuffles broke out that resulted in injuries and it was then that the police intervened and took details of the seven suspects, who have now been arrested.