by Kevin Elder

Created on: January 30, 2009

David Beckham will stay at Milan, then leave and come back. I think that it is abundantly clear to anyone watching the situation that David Beckham is eying the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. England Coach, Fabio Capello, has made it clear that he will only select players that are playing matches and fit for the England side. This is what sparked Beckham's loan move to AC Milan in the first place. His arrival seems to have been a good fit for Milan and for Beckham, it is not surprising that they would like him to stay or that he would like to stay. However he is currently scheduled to return to the LA Galaxy in March for the full season in the MLS. This is a problem, Milan have stated that they would pay a fee somewhere around $7Million USD for Beckham to join them permanently. The problem is that Los Angeles seems reluctant to let him go. Recently Beckham has been quoted saying a few disparaging remarks about the MLS, this has not helped the situation any. It has certainly embarrassed the MLS that does not like to be reminded that it is not a top league or to have the World know that it's marquee player is not happy.

I think that the solution that will work best for both sides is that AC Milan will pay a partial fee to extend Beckham's loan until the end of the Italian season in May, after which he will return for June & July with the Galaxy as a sort of farewell tour before re-joining AC Milan before the start of the next Serie A season. This would allow the MLS to highlight that one of their players is going to a great league where he is a star, and get some good sound bites from Beckham about the MLS. In actual fact he probably wouldn't play that many games for the Galaxy as the MLS does not follow the International Calender and Beckham will likely be with the England squad.

Whether the loan extension works, or the MLS agree to sell him remains to be seen, but it has been widely reported that Beckham has an escape clause in his contract that allows him to leave in the summer for free. If he is recalled to the Galaxy in March, I am certain that he will use the clause in his contract to join Milan in time for the start of the Serie A season. One thing is certain the MLS does not want to have an unhappy David Beckham in their league.

Beckham looks set for a recall to the England squad after some solid performances for Milan, I think that this will cement his decision to try to stay with Milan. If he has to return to the Galaxy at some point will be up in the air one thing that is known for certain is that he will be a Milan player next season. How long will he be at Milan after that I don't know, but I imagine after a year or two he will find a new team in a new country and move the Beckham media storm again. Is Beckham staying at Milan? I think so, but we won't know until March, but will he be at Milan for the start of next season? No doubt about it.

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