MLS commissioner sets Beckham transfer deadline
Beckham has been with LA Galaxy since 2007
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Wednesday, 11, Feb 2009 10:27
Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner Don Garber has set a deadline of Friday for David Beckham's expected transfer to AC Milan to be concluded.
Garber says the league will endorse the transfer from LA Galaxy if they receive a fee that accurately "acknowledges the value of his services" to his team and the league.
However, Garber says the deal must be concluded soon to allow the Galaxy and the league to prepare properly for the forthcoming season without having the uncertainty of Beckham's future hanging over them.
Garber said in a letter to AEG, who own and run the Galaxy, that: "It is absolutely imperative that we bring this issue to closure by this Friday, February 13th, so we can move forward with finalizing plans for the 2009 MLS Season.
"We are prepared to be supportive of transferring David to AC Milan for a transfer fee that acknowledges the value of his services to the Galaxy and the League. However, if the issue is not resolved by the end of the week, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for us to go forward with the transfer."
Beckham is currently on loan with the Italian giants until March 9th, two weeks before the start of the MLS season, but Garber says Milan must not wait until after the loan period to seal a permanent deal.
He added: "They [Milan] don't have until March 9th. They need approval from us on a transfer. That's our timetable, not Milan's timetable.
"So if Milan believes they have until March 9th, then I'm basically correcting that assumption. They have until this Friday. On this Friday, we need to know whether they want to buy David Beckham or not."
Beckham has made six appearances for Milan since his arrival in January and has indicated he would like to make his move to Italy permanent.
AEG chief executive Tim Leiweke confirmed Milan had made an initial bid for the England midfielder but claimed it had been rejected as it was "too low".