David Beckham Transfer to Milan? The Deal is Dead

Update, Saturday, Feb 21th:
The deal is dead, there is no new offer coming from AC Milan, and David Beckham will return to the LA Galaxy.

Did something change along the way? The economy, Beckham’s performance, the prospects for Milan winning Serie A? These all changed, but it is impossible for outsiders to know whether those factors killed the deal, or if any deal would have had to bridge an impossible expectations gap.

In response to whether Milan would be increasing its offer, AC Milan chief executive Adriano Gallianii told La Gazzetta dello Sport:

“”Absolutely not, I have experience of knowing a player’s value and in the European market it doesn’t make any sense to spend more. Milan has made an offer that it feels is right for a loan of about eight months… from November 30 David will be available for zero.

We don’t want any controversy, we’re thankful to Galaxy for loaning us Beckham these past few months. In the States they look at commercial aspects, whereas in Europe transfers are based on technical aspects. The budget at my disposal is already at a maximum between transfer fee and wages..”

One presumes AC Milan may be open to bringing Beckham on board if and when he opts out of his MLS contract at the end of next season.

Update, Friday, Feb 20th:

“Two weeks ago, Milan made a ridiculous offer, to which I replied ‘no’ in a few seconds. With that figure, Galaxy don’t even cover the damages deriving from the shortfalls of not selling his shirts. Since then, no-one has made any moves. There are no meetings arranged.

What really matters is that Milan make a real offer. I don’t wish to talk about the offer but the figures (£12 million) that I have read in the United States are close to what we want.”

–Tim Leiweke , president and chief executive of AEG, owner of the LA Galaxy.

$17M+ US is a steep price tag for an aging star only good for a year or two with low resale value. Sounds like Milan have left it late and perhaps are not sincere about bringing David Beckham to Italy for good.

Could the whole transfer saga be just about keeping Beckham and the rest of the Milan squad motivated while he is with AC Milan for these crucial late season Serie A matches?

Update, Thursday Feb 19th:

“In the last few hours we’ve taken some steps forward. We are even more confident than before.  I’m neither optimistic nor pessimistic.”

–AC Milan chief executive Adriano Gallianii upon the team’s return from playing Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup.

Doesn’t seem like any real news of progress, but deal making does seem to still be ongoing.

Update, Wednesday Feb 18th:

“We hope to sign Beckham until at least June 30, 2010.”

– an AC Milan source to Reuters.

AC Milan’s Umberto Gandini will reportedly fly to Los Angeles on Thursday to finalize a deal with the LA Galaxy for David Beckham’s transfer

Update, Tuesday Feb 17th:

“There is still a bit of distance but Friday could be the decisive day for Beckham.  We are negotiating and trying to resolve the problem. Between our offer and their request there is still a margin but the will of the player is to remain. We will have to wait and see how this situation develops – there is still time.” 

–  AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani

Update, Monday Feb 16th, PM:

“I can’t speak for the deadline.  Legally or technically I think March 8 would be the final date of altering the loan agreement. The deadline imposed by Commissioner Garber, you would have to speak to Commissioner Garber about that.”

–  LA Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena at a press conference for the Pan-Pacific Championship reflecting a softer position on the expired Friday 13th deadline.

Monday Feb 16th, AM:

Reports from Italy that the Beckham transfer deal is being worked, with Beckham to forgo some salary to make the deal work.  Probably more reliable information is that Becks is on the roster for AC Milan’s match with Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday.

One would be curious what AC Milan’s Carlo Ancelotti thought of Beckham’s performance in the derby match with Inter on Sunday; general public impressions seem to be that Beckham made contributions but was not an impact player in the game which Milan lost 2-1.  How big a fight is it worth to make over Beckham?  Still, clearly the Italians would like to think Milan is his new home.