David Beckham, left, is set to stay with the Los Angeles Galaxy after turning down a chance to join Paris Saint-Germain, the French club said Tuesday. Beckham is seen here with Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan in a 2009 file photo. (Will Lester/Staff Photographer)
David Beckham is coming to Los Angeles!Not a repeat from five years ago, and not (necessarily) to play soccer. After all, the kids have to get back to school, so holiday time in London is coming to an end.
But the midfielder without a midfield to perform in still must decide if he will return to the Galaxy for the 2012 season, which apparently was a fait accompli as breathlessly reported in the French media Tuesday.
According to reports, Beckham has turned down an immensely lucrative offer to plat for Paris St. Germain because his family wants to stay in Los Angeles, so by leaping to conclusions that means he'll play with the Galaxy again, right?
Not so fast. But hold on.
"We've been talking for four months, we continue to talk to David and we think we are making progress," AEG Enterprises president and CEO Tim Leiweke said Tuesday. "We are intent on getting a deal done to keep David here.
"It would be a shame if we finally won the MLS Cup, and we did, if David is not here to help us defend it. But we're not there yet."
Leiweke also added: "I hope we get this done in the next week."
Beckham, 36, just finished his commitment to a five-year deal with the Galaxy and Major League Soccer and remains a free agent. In addition to the pursuit by PSG, the English Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur has made its interest known to the Galaxy.
"They wanted to make sure they were not stepping on our toes," Leiweke said. "We haven't talked to clubs in the French league.
"David is arguably the most famous athlete in the world and he's going to be in demand. We would prefer he stay here."
Leiweke said the ownership side has maintained its silence during negotiations even amid reports from European media that Beckham was ready to bolt to the other side of the Atlantic even before his contract expired Dec. 31.
But Leiweke said he wanted the public to know the club not only is negotiating with Beckham and his management team but he is confident the English star will return for at least one more season.
And while PSG sporting director Leonardo was quoted Tuesday as saying Beckham was going to remain in Los Angeles, Leiweke paid as much attention to that story in L'Equipe as he did to earlier reports.
"The Paris papers had him signing a contract, buying a house, his kids in school, a nanny hired and a business shop for Victoria's fashion line," Leiweke said. "The very day they were writing that, they were having Thanksgiving dinner with my family.
"My philosophy on some of the European press is that they are wrapped around fish the next day. We don't let them control our happiness or depression."
A complication to the negotiations is Beckham and his team, led by Simon Oliveira, also must deal with MLS, which handles the contracts of every player.
Beckham's deal would include an option for franchise ownership with the league, so those details must be set as well.
Leiweke said the offer for Beckham's services "contemplates more than one year."
In terms of timing, the sooner the better for the Galaxy, who are nearing the opening of preseason training camp, and the international transfer window is now open. Galaxy players are due to report for physicals Jan. 18.
Beckham has been in contact with Galaxy coach Bruce Arena on a weekly basis, Leiweke said, and the Galaxy and Oliveira have been in contact on virtually a daily basis, even over the holidays.
"There are no issues, no animosities, no tense moments, no games being played here," Leiweke said. "I think David will be in a Galaxy uniform this year and I've believed that for three months."
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