Milan keen for Beckham to return

Beckham was a major success in last season's spell at Milan

AC Milan are eager for England midfielder David Beckham to repeat his loan spell at the club this season.

Beckham, who plays for LA Galaxy in the United States, spent five months on loan with Milan last season at the end of the Major League Soccer campaign.

"The most likely hypothesis is that Beckham plays for us from January until the end of the season," said Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

"Then he returns to America without all the fuss that happened last March."

But Galliani dismissed speculation that the Italian giants would try to buy Beckham, who has suffered a negative response from some Galaxy fans on his return to LA.

A price in the region of £11.2m has been mentioned for Beckham, but Milan said "insurmountable financial obstacles" would restrict their involvement with him to another loan deal.

I hope to return to play for Milan David Beckham

"There's no possibility for him to come sooner," said Galliani.

"David knows that the doors of (the club's training ground) Milanello are always open for him, his lawyers also know that.

"I hope he returns in January, but before then he won't because that's when the market reopens even though he finishes there at the end of November.

"There are insurmountable financial obstacles. Before January there's no possibility."

Beckham said he had been told by England boss Fabio Capello that he needed to be playing in one of the top leagues in Europe in order to stay in his plans for next year's World Cup in South Africa, should England qualify.

And the former England captain said he would be delighted to play in Serie A again.

"I hope to return to play for Milan," he told the AC Milan website.

"They have remained in my heart and honestly I am confident I will greet them again in November.

"It's really pleasing to see that I have left good memories."

Milan coach Leonardo has also expressed his hope that Beckham will be able to play for his side later in the season.

Beckham has also been linked with Premier League sides Tottenham and Chelsea, who are now managed by former Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti.

606: DEBATE I admire Beckham for wanting to be at his best for as long as he can, so good luck to him at Milan RICHSAZ

The possibility of Beckham leaving LA Galaxy prematurely has been raised after he was booed by sections of the crowd in his first home game for them since his spell with Milan.

He was jeered during Sunday's friendly - against Milan - and even confronted one particularly vociferous spectator.

"The majority of fans have been great," said Beckham, who had upset Galaxy fans with previous comments that he would have preferred to stay at Milan than return to the MLS.

"It was only one or two that, you know, it was to be expected.

"Sometimes it goes beyond it. I tried to shake one of the guy's hands but he didn't want any of it. That's the way it is."

It marked the end of a turbulent week for Beckham since his return to the United States, who also had to placate team-mates following comments by Galaxy captain Landon Donovan.