AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani insists the Rossoneri will not buy David Beckham.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder impressed during a loan spell at the San Siro last season, so much so that Milan put a lot of effort into successfully extending his stay until the end of the campaign.
Beckham is likely to return to Milan on another loan deal in January but speculation is mounting he could leave the Galaxy sooner than expected as his relationship with the club’s fans continues to grow sour.
The England international was roundly booed in yesterday’s friendly against Milan and had an ugly confrontation with supporters during half-time in what was his first home game since his return from Italy.
However, Galaxy would likely demand close to 13million euros for the 34-year-old and Galliani admits they are not prepared to pay that amount.
“There’s no possibility for him to come sooner,” the Milan chief told reporters. “David knows that the doors of Milanello are always open for him, his lawyers also know that. I hope he returns in January, but before then he won’t because that’s when the market reopens even though he finishes there at the end of November. There are insurmountable financial obstacles. The most likely hypothesis is that Beckham plays for us from January until the end of the season and then returns to America without all the fuss that happened last March. Before January there’s no possibility.”
Galliani added:
“I saw him on TV playing very well. Not to repeat the same things always but I remember how he was described a year ago. Now everyone realises that he is a great player.”
Tottenham and Chelsea, now managed by Carlo Ancelotti, the man who brought Beckham to the San Siro in the first place, are also reportedly interested in the former Manchester United player.
However, Beckham claims there is only one destination for him come the end of the Major League Soccer season.
“I hope to return to play for Milan,” he told the club’s website. “They have remained in my heart and honestly I am confident I will greet them again in November. (Milan coach) Leonardo wants me in rossonero immediately? It’s really pleasing to see that I have left good memories.”
