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Beckham wants to stay at AC Milan, leave LA Galaxy

GLASGOW, Scotland – David Beckham wants to leave the Los Angeles Galaxy and stay with AC Milan after his loan to the Italian club is scheduled to end next month.

The 33-year-old English midfielder announced his intentions Wednesday after playing in Milan's 2-2 exhibition tie at Glasgow Rangers. Beckham has scored twice for Milan and been included in the team's 25-man roster for UEFA Cup games against Werder Bremen on Feb. 18 and 26.

His three-month loan is due to end March 8.

"At the moment my lawyers are not talking to the Galaxy," Beckham said. "But I have expressed my desire to stay at AC Milan now, and it's just down to Milan and Galaxy to come to an agreement."

"I have enjoyed my time here," he added. "I knew I would enjoy it but I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I have and do as well as I have."

Beckham is about two years into a $32.5 million, five-year contract with Major League Soccer. The Galaxy had no immediate comment.

"At this point it's out of my hands," the 33-year-old star said. "I've said what my feelings are to both clubs."

Since coming to Italy, Beckham has scored twice and helped to lift Milan to second place in the Serie A standings.

"At the moment I'm still a Galaxy player," he said. "I respect the Galaxy and everything they have done for me. They have always been great to me."

Beckham needs one appearance to tie defender Bobby Moore at 108 for the second-most international games in English history, trailing only goalkeeper Peter Shilton's 125, and wants to play for England at next year's World Cup in South Africa.

"To be given the chance again to play at this level at my age is pretty incredible and I've enjoyed it so much I would like to continue it," he said. "I think people have seen the way I've been since playing at this level again."

"It's nothing against the MLS and the football over there because it's a game that will grow, but it will take quite a few years," he added. "I'm still confident that will happen eventually, but I want to have a chance of being involved in 2010 and I believe my best chance of doing so is to remain here."

Beckham included on AC Milan's UEFA Cup list

MILAN – David Beckham's impressive play for AC Milan has been rewarded with him being included on the team's 25-man roster for the UEFA Cup, with coach Carlo Ancelotti calling the player "indispensable" to his team.

With Beckham set to return to the Los Angeles Galaxy when his loan period finishes on March 8, he will only be eligible for two games against Werder Bremen on Feb. 18 and Feb. 26.

"We have included Beckham in the UEFA Cup list because he is doing very well. We want to take advantage of his form for the two games against Werder Bremen," Ancelotti said.

"Beckham is becoming an indispensable player for this team and he has earned it through his talent," Ancelotti added.

Since joining Milan, Beckham has scored two goals and set up two of Milan's scores in their 3-1 win over Lazio on Sunday night.

He has started all five matches since his arrival.

We're desperate to keep Beckham, admit Milan

by Barnaby Chesterman Barnaby Chesterman – Sun Feb 1, 9:27 pm ET

ROME (AFP) – AC Milan admitted that they're desperate to keep David Beckham at the San Siro, giving the former England skipper a resounding endorsement by adding him to their UEFA Cup squad.

Beckham played another starring role for Milan by setting up two of the three goals in a 3-0 victory over Lazio at the Olympic Stadium.

The win meant Milan remain unbeaten in the five matches since the 33-year-old joined on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder has also scored twice and such has been his influence that he has been included in the 25-man squad for the UEFA Cup knockout stages, even though he will only be able to play in the next round if he does return to the USA on March 9 as anticipated.

"We've put him on the UEFA list because we have a contract and he's doing very well," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"I want to pick him for the two matches against Werder Bremen."

Vice-president Adriano Galliani has also been singing Beckham's praises.

"We're desperate to sign him and I will keep hoping until the last possible moment," said Galliani.

"When he first came to us I thought he would do well but I never thought to such a degree.

"It would be terrible to lose him so we'll make little overtures to try to keep hold of him and then our fans can have a great party when Beckham stays."

It's not just the club hierarchy who have been impressed with the former England captain's contribution, his team-mates have too.

Midfield playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who has had to give up much of the deadball duties to the new arrival, has only positive things to say about Beckham.

"He's an intelligent guy, he plays football on instinct, has fitted in well and is helping us out," said Pirlo.

Beckham has refused to discuss his long-term future, preferring to concentrate on helping his new team cut Inter Milan's six-point lead at the top.

"I love coming to Rome," said Beckham about his man-of-the-match performance in the capital.

"We needed to win this match so I'm very happy with that. It's important to keep the pressure on Inter because they're the leaders and they're playing good football."

With the Milan derby only two weeks away, that match could take on even greater significance if Milan can keep close to their city rivals, although Beckham said he and his team won't get ahead of themselves.

"It's important not to worry too much about other teams. If we win our games then we have a chance of catching the leaders," he added.

"It (the derby) is a big game and I'm looking forward to it but the most important game is next week's and when we've played that game we'll think about the derby."

Beckham hints at staying with AC Milan

ROME, Italy (AFP) – David Beckham left the door open to a possible long-term stay at AC Milan after scoring his first goal in Italian football in a 4-1 win at Bologna.

The victory kept Milan in the title hunt, trailing leaders and city rivals Inter Milan by six points.

Playing only his third match for Milan, Beckham wrapped things up on the hour mark with Milan's fourth, a rocket that beat Francesco Antonioli at his near post.

"I feel very good here. I arrived in a team that wanted me for years and I play for exceptional fans," said the former England captain.

"I'll stay here until March and then we'll see. Right now I'm focussed only on my football."

Beckham linked up with his Milan team-mates at the end of December before joining them on a mid-season warm weather training camp in Dubai.

He joined on loan from LA Galaxy and his deal is due to run out on March 8, after which he is expected back in Los Angeles for the start of the new Major League Soccer season.

However, he has been an instant hit in Milan for his industrious play on the right side of a three-man midfield and now the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player seems to be considering a longer stay in the Italian financial capital.

On Sunday, he struck from about 15 yards out to the right of goal to net his first successful strike for Milan.

"It was a truly special goal, just as it is special for me to be playing here," he told RAI TV.

"The important thing was to win so now we are even more confident ahead of Wednesday's game (against Genoa)."

Milan have been a more balanced and effective outfit since Beckham joined, something they had lost since Gennaro Gattuso was injured.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is keen to keep him at the club but admits that it is out of his hands.

"It's up to him what happens. Our hands are tied because he is locked into a very precise contract," said Ancelotti.

"But as long as we have him at our disposal I see no reason not to take advantage of that because he's giving us a lot."

It's not just Beckham's presence on the right side of a three man midfield that is working well for Ancelotti, but another switch also seems to have paid dividends.

Rather than playing Kaka behind Pato and Ronaldinho, Ancelotti has pushed Kaka further forward, dropped Ronaldinho to the bench and is playing veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf in the hole behind the front two.

Massimo Ambrossini is bringing some steel to the midfield.

"Right now we're playing with great effectiveness because we're making the most of Kaka and Pato's pace," said Ancelotti.

"Seedorf gives us more cover (than Ronaldinho) but we haven't forgetten when the Brazilian was playing well over the first half of the season."

However, it seems the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain player is paying for poor discipline.

"He was the one who did the least work in Dubai but in the future he can once again play with and Pato Kaka," said the coach.

He may have to wait a while, though.

If things continue in this vein, Ancelotti, who celebrated 400 games in charge of Milan against Bologna, believes his side has what it takes to be champions for the first time since 2004.

"If we carry on along this path we can win the championship," he said. "The problem right now is finding consistency."

Beckham Proud Of First Milan Goal

David Beckham scored his first goal in Italy on Sunday in Milan's 4-1 win over Bologna, and Kaka added two more to keep the team in touch with Juventus and Inter Milan.

Pato provided the assist for 'Golden Balls' on the hour mark.

Beckham revealed, “It was a really special goal, and in the same way it is very special to play here. The most important thing was for us to win and now we have even more belief in ourselves ahead of Wednesday’s game.”

The midfielder added, “I feel really good here [at Milan]. I have joined a squad that has wanted me for years and for I play for exceptional fans. I will remain here until March and then I will see. For now I am only thinking about playing.”

Peter Pedroncelli, Goal.com

Milan’s Gattuso Impressed With Beckham

The injured Milan midfielder Gattuso has been impressed with England midfielder Beckham since his arrival at the Rossoneri, in which time he has been somewhat of a revelation at the club.
Gattuso is out for several months following an injury to his cruciate knee ligament suffered in December, but Beckham has come in to fill his place in the team and is quickly becoming a favourite for both the players and Milan fans. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid dead ball expert is on a two-and-a-half month loan from his current club LA Galaxy in the MLS, and is set to return to the United States in time for the start of the American season. Commenting on Beckham, Rhingio told Italia 1, “He's surprised me in a positive way. He's a great professional, he arrives at training two or three hours early. He's not Kaka but he's a great player. "He's playing in my position because I'm injured but we're completely different. For sure he sets up more goals than I do, but I win back more balls.” Peter Pedroncelli, Goal.com

Kaka 'wants to play at Real, says Beckham'

MADRID (AFP) – Brazilian midfielder Kaka, who rejected a record-breaking transfer from Manchester City, wants to play at Real Madrid next season, his AC Milan teammate David Beckham was quoted as saying Tuesday.

"Kaka wants to go to Real Madrid and not to City. I think he will become a Real player in June. I think someone has called him and that Kaka has made his decision," the former England captain told a friend recently, according to Spanish sports daily AS.

The paper said last week Kaka asked Beckham, who played for Real between 2003 and 2007, for information about the defending Spanish giants, the paper added.

Former Real president Ramon Calderon, who stepped down on Friday over allegations that he rigged voting at the club's last annual general assembly, promised to sign Kaka during his successful campaign to lead the club.

Real remains interested in signing the 26-year-old, according to AS.

"This is the best moment to recruit Kaka, he is the player who would benefit the team the most," an unnamed Real source told the newspaper.

Italian prime minister and AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi said late Monday that Kaka had decided to stay with the Italian side, having rejected a bid from City that was said to be of 100 million pounds (111 million euros/147 million US dollars).

Kaka is under contract with Milan through 2013.

I followed my heart, says Milan's Kaka

MILAN, Italy (AFP) – Brazilian superstar Kaka has revealed that he followed his heart in choosing to stay at AC Milan rather than take up an offer of a reported 15 million euros a season to join Manchester City.

Milan president and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced the news late on Monday to end one of the most dramatic transfer sagas of all time.

Moneybags City, owned by the Abu Dhabi Group, had bid a reported world record 100 million euros for the former World Player of the Year and Milan gave the 26-year-old permission to talk to the English Premier League club.

But Kaka has told Milan's official TV channel that the Italian giants' fans had played a significant role in convincing him to stay.

"All the messages I received convinced me to choose with my heart and I think in the end that's what I did. It was definitely not a financial decision," he said.

"There were bits of information, claims, a lot of speculation which over these last few days even created a bad impression of my father.

"That's not the case, I've never argued with my father. I always make decisions within the family, my wife has also been wonderful, she helped me a lot and has always supported me in my decisions.

"My family have been great and never tried to push me one way or another. In the end it is my history which has been decisive, where my legacy is and where in reality my heart is."

Kaka denied that he was using the interest from City to try to get a pay rise at Milan, where he is already supposedly the second highest paid player in Italy behind Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"There have also been claims made that every time offers are made for me it's because I want to renew my contract," he added.

"That's not true. Every time a team has come and proposed something to me it's Milan who have tried to please me.

"For this I have to thank everyone who works at Milan."

Kaka, somewhat diplomatically, described Berlusconi and Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani as incredible people and thanked Milan's technical director and his compatriot Leonardo, a former player at the club.

"He is more than a friend, someone who is always close by," he said. "Right now I don't want to change anything, I want some peace and quiet."

A devout evangelical Christian who removes his jersey to display a T-shirt bearing the message 'I Belong to Jesus' whenever Milan win something, Kaka revealed he had prayed a lot over these last few days.

"It was an emotional and unforgettable night," he said about Monday. "My team-mates have been great, they supported me, they touched me."

Fans who on Monday had protested against the proposed sale outside Kaka's home and Milan's headquarters on Monday quickly began celebrating.

"He's staying with us, he's staying with us," went up the cheer after news broke that the Brazilian had rejected City.

Berlusconi, who had previously said Milan could not stand in Kaka's way with such a sum of money on the table, praised the attacking midfielder for rejecting financial riches.

"We're all delighted," he said. "But he didn't want to leave even for a perfect offer from Manchester (City) and he said no without even knowing what the offer was.

"Hence, he is staying with us and we can't be anything but delighted because money is important but there are other things more important than money."

And the Italian prime minister insisted Milan had never accepted City's bid.

"No, we told Kaka to think about it, as we did with (Andrei) Shevchenko (when he joined Chelsea), we said we didn't want to prohibit someone from considering an offer that was double what Milan could pay, also because it was clear we could not make a counter offer because had we, we would have had to do likewise with all the other players and that wouldn't have been logical or in our budget.

"Kaka never expected us to make an offer and as a fan I have to say I'm delighted."

Galliani for his part said Milan's fans had to thank Berlusconi for not taking the money on offer.

"Once more the fans should thank president Berlusconi for his economic strength," he said.

"Because there was a strong temptation in front of us and a number that was a stratospheric world record."

Kaka Signs For Manchester City - Arabian Reports

Kaka has been linked with the richest club in the world for several months now, but the speculation of a possible move really began to heat up earlier this week.

'Arabian Business' now claim that a deal has been sealed, which will see Manchester City pay Milan around €112 million, while Kaka will earn €380,000 per week.

This will smash Zinedine Zidane's transfer fee record from 2001 when he moved to Real Madrid from Juventus for €76m. Kaka also becomes the highest paid player in football history.

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour is said to have told friends at 1500 CET that Kaka has signed for Manchester City, although there has been no official confirmation from the club, or from Milan for that matter.

Mansour took over the reigns at Eastlands in September, but he funded the €37m signing of Kaka's Brazilian compatriot Robinho on August 31 summer deadline day.

The Press Association claims that sources within Manchester City have denied that a deal has been done, although no official statement has been made.

Anthony Sormani

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pic : (AFP/File/Damien Meyer)

We move forward with or without Kaka - Ancelotti

MILAN, Jan 16 (Reuters) - AC Milan will move forward whether they keep hold of Kaka or not, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

Manchester City are talking with Milan about a possible deal and media reports say the Premier League club have bid at least 100 million euros ($133 million) for the Brazilian.

"Talks are happening. I hope I can coach him for the long term. But if he leaves our objectives do not change," Ancelotti told a news conference. "Our squad remains competitive even if we must lose a great player."

The playmaker said earlier this week he wanted to "grow old" at Milan but City have sounded confident that they can persuade the Serie A club to sell the 26-year-old.

"It is a decision that will have to be made by the club together with the player," Ancelotti added.

"The club is considering the offer that has been presented. It is normal that great importance is attached to him given the role he has at Milan."

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani met City officials to discuss Kaka's future on Tuesday and media speculation has since gone into overdrive despite no outcome to the talks.

City, in the bottom of half of the Premier League and with very limited pedigree in England let alone Europe, are the richest club in the world after being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

Ancelotti said they deserved to bid for the world's top players as much as anyone else.

"You couldn't imagine it 20 years ago. Big investors are entering football and therefore it is normal and correct to consider (the bid)," he said.

Milan finished fifth in Serie A last season meaning Kaka, signed from Sao Paulo in 2003, is not playing in the Champions League this term having inspired the Rossoneri to the trophy in 2007.

"We must get back into the Champions League and win the UEFA Cup," added Ancelotti, whose side are third in Serie A.

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