Crunch time for Beckham's future

SOCCER: It is deadline day for AC Milan in their attempts to keep David Beckham in Italy and the England midfielder remains hopeful a deal can be struck with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Rossoneri are keen to retain the 33-year-old's services after his loan spell from the Galaxy ends on March 9th, and Major League Soccer said earlier this week the two clubs have until today to agree terms if the move is to go ahead.

Beckham spoke about the situation in an interview with today's Gazzetta dello Sport, saying: "Milan and Galaxy are negotiating and I hope I can remain in Italy.

"I have already expressed my wish to remain in Milan and now I have to wait.

"Physically, I feel really good, I really like playing for Milan. Over the last month and a half my physical condition has improved 100 per cent.

"I have nothing against Galaxy, Los Angeles has been a wonderful experience. But at Milan I have found great players who have been of great help to me.

"For the time being things could not be going better."

Last week, the Galaxy rejected Milan's first bid for Beckham, saying the England midfielder would return to Los Angeles as scheduled unless the Italians came up with a higher offer.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged the Rossoneri to go the extra mile in order to keep Beckham at the San Siro.

Beckham has earned a regular spot in Ancelottis starting XI since his arrival in January, and has set up goals and found the back of the net for the Rossoneri.

"In my opinion, in order to keep Beckham, sacrifices should be made because he is an important player for the team," Ancelotti said.

Beckham, whose main aim was to earn a spot in Fabio Capello's England's squad for next year's World Cup, played for his country on Wednesday in the 2-0 friendly defeat to Spain to equal Bobby Moore's record of 108 appearances for the national team.

Even if he is unable to stay in Milan, Beckham believes he could still have a chance to continue playing for Capello.

"I am taking one game at a time, I do it for Milan and in the national team," Beckham said.

"To be part of the group is already important. England is growing and if I can still be part of the group that would be a great result.

"I have played for England even when I played for Gal Milan to win the game and to stay on the right path."