David Beckham has revealed he is considering offers from four top Premier League clubs as he bids to keep his World Cup dream alive.
Beckham knows he must finish this season playing at the highest level possible if he is to retain his place in the England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup finals.
That means the LA Galaxy midfielder, who can help Fabio Capello’s team seal their World Cup spot with a victory over Croatia on Wednesday, is already weighing up his options for when the MLS season finishes in November.
Beckham has been offered the chance to return to AC Milan, where he spent several months on loan last season, but he is also being courted by several top English teams, with Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal possibly among them.
”I have my plans. Obviously I have got options,” Beckham said. ”Milan have made me aware that they want me to go back there, play there and train there, and I’m more than happy with that. But I have got other options.
”Once I have that time to decide, I will. Three or four clubs [from England] have made offers already.
”I’ve got plans, but my main focus is on this game on Wednesday and then the finish of the MLS season. After that, everybody knows that I’ll be coming back to play somewhere.”
A cheeky suggestion that Beckham’s old friend Sven Goran Eriksson — the former England coach and now director of football at League Two Notts County — might have contacted him about a move to Meadow Lane was greeted with a wry smile by Beckham.
”Has Sven been in touch? No. I haven’t spoken to Sven for a while,” he laughed.
Beckham’s decision to join Milan last term caused a storm in Los Angeles and he has been targeted for abuse from unhappy fans in several matches since he returned to America.
But he insists Galaxy’s bosses understand his desire to do everything possible to be in Capello’s squad for the finals in South Africa.
”I’ve got a great relationship with the owner, Tim Leiweke and he’s a football man as well,” Beckham said. ”They know I have to come back. If it upsets a few people, I can’t do anything about that.
”I keep saying how much I do enjoy playing over there and how committed I am to the Galaxy, but I want to give myself every chance to be involved in the squad.
”I think I’ll be back there after the World Cup. There is a possibility that the contract might break in November, but I’m committed there.”
All Beckham’s efforts to make it to South Africa could turn out to be an anti-climax if Capello continues to leave the former Real Madrid star on the bench.
Yet Beckham insists he is happy to play the role of wise old senior pro and help the younger members of Capello’s squad fulfil their potential.
”I’m happy to be in the squad. That’s my position. I’m happy to be involved in this squad with these players,” Beckham said.
”I’ll always speak highly of the young players we’ve got coming through, whether in my position or not. There’s no reason to speak negatively. They’re all very good players. They’ve got pace that I’ve never had.
”If I can come on with the experience I have and help the team, I will.
”I’m an England fan. If I don’t end up being in a squad that goes to South Africa, that won’t mean I don’t support the lads and want them to win.
”Of course I want to be involved in every squad possible. But, if I’m not selected, it’s because the manager believes he’d have a stronger squad and stronger players without me. I would accept that.” — AFP
