This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/6121030.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| LA Galaxy admit Beckham interest | LA Galaxy admit Beckham interest |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Los Angeles Galaxy have confirmed they are interested in signing David Beckham if the former England captain fails to renew his Real Madrid deal. | The Los Angeles Galaxy have confirmed they are interested in signing David Beckham if the former England captain fails to renew his Real Madrid deal. |
| Out of contract in Spain at the end of the season and no longer a first-team regular, the 31-year-old midfielder is believed to be considering a move. | Out of contract in Spain at the end of the season and no longer a first-team regular, the 31-year-old midfielder is believed to be considering a move. |
| "There are thousands of clubs out there that would love to have a player of his calibre," said Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas. | "There are thousands of clubs out there that would love to have a player of his calibre," said Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas. |
| "And the Los Angeles Galaxy is certainly one of them." | "And the Los Angeles Galaxy is certainly one of them." |
| Interview: LA Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas | Interview: LA Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas |
| Beckham, who played against the Galaxy for Real in a pre-season game in 2005, has already said that he would like to end his career in the US. | Beckham, who played against the Galaxy for Real in a pre-season game in 2005, has already said that he would like to end his career in the US. |
| "I've one year left at Real, and maybe two more after that, but things can change in football and the American league does interest me," said Beckham. | "I've one year left at Real, and maybe two more after that, but things can change in football and the American league does interest me," said Beckham. |
| "I want to be part of a country that is passionate about sport. And I've got my academy in LA, which is important to me because that is my life after the game." | "I want to be part of a country that is passionate about sport. And I've got my academy in LA, which is important to me because that is my life after the game." |
| But when he made those comments in April he was still a fixture in the Real first team and captain of England. | But when he made those comments in April he was still a fixture in the Real first team and captain of England. |
| Things have changed considerably for the former Manchester United star in the intervening months. | Things have changed considerably for the former Manchester United star in the intervening months. |
| Dropped by new managers at club and country, Beckham is now stalling on extending his stay in Madrid and believed to be reconsidering the final chapters of his playing career. | Dropped by new managers at club and country, Beckham is now stalling on extending his stay in Madrid and believed to be reconsidering the final chapters of his playing career. |
| Beckham's Real Madrid displays are little more than cameos nowAs well as the Galaxy, Celtic, Spurs and Israeli club Maccabi Netanya have been reported as possible destinations for the high-profile star. | Beckham's Real Madrid displays are little more than cameos nowAs well as the Galaxy, Celtic, Spurs and Israeli club Maccabi Netanya have been reported as possible destinations for the high-profile star. |
| The two British clubs, however, have recently distanced themselves from a possible move for Beckham and the prospect of the player going to Israel seems remote. | The two British clubs, however, have recently distanced themselves from a possible move for Beckham and the prospect of the player going to Israel seems remote. |
| Speaking to BBC Sport, Lalas, the Galaxy's president and general manager, made it clear that Beckham would suit his team, signal their intent to compete on the world stage and be good business for Major League Soccer. | Speaking to BBC Sport, Lalas, the Galaxy's president and general manager, made it clear that Beckham would suit his team, signal their intent to compete on the world stage and be good business for Major League Soccer. |
| "For many people the Los Angeles Galaxy are looked upon as the jewel of MLS," he said. | "For many people the Los Angeles Galaxy are looked upon as the jewel of MLS," he said. |
| 606 DEBATE: Would this be the best move for Beckham? | |
| "We play in the best stadium, we have had incredible success over the history of the league and we have had great individual players and great teams. There is a tradition of excellence. | "We play in the best stadium, we have had incredible success over the history of the league and we have had great individual players and great teams. There is a tradition of excellence. |
| "All of this leads to this race to become the first 'MLS super club', if you will. | "All of this leads to this race to become the first 'MLS super club', if you will. |
| "That is something we aspire to and in order to do that you have to have quality players, a direction and passion, a good coach and credibility domestically and internationally. | "That is something we aspire to and in order to do that you have to have quality players, a direction and passion, a good coach and credibility domestically and internationally. |
| "Signing players of (Beckham's) stature would be a wonderful step in the right direction, not just for the Galaxy but for soccer in America." | "Signing players of (Beckham's) stature would be a wonderful step in the right direction, not just for the Galaxy but for soccer in America." |
| When asked for a firmer statement of intent regarding a possible bid for Beckham, Lalas was careful not to say anything that could be regarded as 'tapping up'. | When asked for a firmer statement of intent regarding a possible bid for Beckham, Lalas was careful not to say anything that could be regarded as 'tapping up'. |
| "A move for Beckham is not something we need to discuss at this point because he's under contract with Real," he said. | "A move for Beckham is not something we need to discuss at this point because he's under contract with Real," he said. |
| "But if that changes, and there's an opportunity, of course we'd be interested." | "But if that changes, and there's an opportunity, of course we'd be interested." |
| Brand Beckham attempts to break America at the 2003 MTV Awards | Brand Beckham attempts to break America at the 2003 MTV Awards |
| The former US international did, however, admit that the Galaxy's owner, sports conglomerate Anschutz Entertainment Group, has a close relationship with Beckham. | The former US international did, however, admit that the Galaxy's owner, sports conglomerate Anschutz Entertainment Group, has a close relationship with Beckham. |
| His academy shares a home with the Galaxy just outside LA at the 27,000-seat Home Depot Center in Carson, California. | His academy shares a home with the Galaxy just outside LA at the 27,000-seat Home Depot Center in Carson, California. |
| Lalas also said that with the Galaxy missing the MLS play-offs for the first time in 10 seasons he was planning a major overhaul of the team during the close season. | Lalas also said that with the Galaxy missing the MLS play-offs for the first time in 10 seasons he was planning a major overhaul of the team during the close season. |
| One possible stumbling block for a Galaxy attempt to sign Beckham would be the salary cap rules that exist in the MLS. | One possible stumbling block for a Galaxy attempt to sign Beckham would be the salary cap rules that exist in the MLS. |
| The rules were introduced when the league was set up in 1996 to ensure a level playing field and prevent any repeat of the excesses that brought down the North American Soccer League in the early 1980s. | The rules were introduced when the league was set up in 1996 to ensure a level playing field and prevent any repeat of the excesses that brought down the North American Soccer League in the early 1980s. |
| But Lalas confirmed that the 12 team owners are due to discuss a loosening of these rules, a move that would make marquee signings more likely. | But Lalas confirmed that the 12 team owners are due to discuss a loosening of these rules, a move that would make marquee signings more likely. |
| "We recognise that when opportunities that will benefit the entire league come along we have to be able to make adjustments," he said. | "We recognise that when opportunities that will benefit the entire league come along we have to be able to make adjustments," he said. |
| "I feel that going forward there will be the ability for the individual teams to do something like (sign a player of Beckham's stature)." | "I feel that going forward there will be the ability for the individual teams to do something like (sign a player of Beckham's stature)." |
| What remains to be seen is if Beckham feels his days as first-team player for a major club - and country - are genuinely over. | What remains to be seen is if Beckham feels his days as first-team player for a major club - and country - are genuinely over. |
| Despite the huge strides made by American soccer and the MLS a move to the US would still be seen as an admission that his career is winding down. | Despite the huge strides made by American soccer and the MLS a move to the US would still be seen as an admission that his career is winding down. |