|
|
AEG President: Deal to re-sign David Beckham still a long way off for LA Galaxy
Tim Leiweke is confident the Englishman will stay with the cup holders despite having many other offers after Paris Saint-Germain announced he would not be joining them
Jan 4, 2012 7:41:00 AM
By Joel Lamy
Getty Images
Tim Leiweke, president of LA Galaxy owners AEG, believes David Beckham will re-sign for the club but has warned that negotiations over a new contract still have a long way to go.
"We're down the road," Leiweke told The LA Times. "I am confident we'll get it done. We have work to do, but we're not there yet.
He added, "As much as I didn't get too low when they [PSG] were planning the parade down the Champs-Elysees … now as much as the media is reporting that we're done, I've been on the phone with [Beckham's] people all day."
Beckham’s contract with the Galaxy expired at the end of 2011 and he was expected to join Paris Saint-Germain in January, but the French side revealed that a deal for the former England captain is off because he does not want to uproot his family.
The 36-year-old is now in negotiations to re-sign for the MLS club but it appears that a new contract is not close to being agreed.
"Trust me, we're not done. I wish we were done," Leiweke said. "[Galaxy coach Bruce Arena] has given him the ability to go [to the Olympics].
"We are being supporters and fans of the Olympic Games in London. We helped put up seed money for their bid and [AEG's] O2 Arena in London is hosting gymnastics and basketball. We could not be bigger supporters of the Olympics."
Beckham spent five seasons in LA having signed from Real Madrid and impressed in his final year as he led the side to the MLS title tying for the most assists in the league and picked up the comeback player of the year award.
His global appeal and ability means he has had a number of lucrative offers to move elsewhere in the world, but Leiweke is still confident that he will decide to remain in LA in the future.
“It's not just Paris. He's had other offers," he said. "And every one is greater and more expansive, bigger than anything we're talking about. In addition to that, we have the added complication that David has the right to purchase a franchise in this league."
"There are a lot of issues we are going through. We are committed to David and he has always felt strongly about the Galaxy in LA. and it does not surprise me that his family would prefer to stay in LA," Leiweke said.
Le Parisien, meanwhile, reports that Beckham did not want to move to the leaders in France’s Ligue 1 due to the league being too physically demanding for him. Regardless, the Los Angeles Galaxy are happy that its star might be returning soon.
"I believe we're heading in the right direction. I'll repeat what I said in November: I believe David Beckham will play for the LA Galaxy this year."
"We're down the road," Leiweke told The LA Times. "I am confident we'll get it done. We have work to do, but we're not there yet.
He added, "As much as I didn't get too low when they [PSG] were planning the parade down the Champs-Elysees … now as much as the media is reporting that we're done, I've been on the phone with [Beckham's] people all day."
Beckham’s contract with the Galaxy expired at the end of 2011 and he was expected to join Paris Saint-Germain in January, but the French side revealed that a deal for the former England captain is off because he does not want to uproot his family.
The 36-year-old is now in negotiations to re-sign for the MLS club but it appears that a new contract is not close to being agreed.
"Trust me, we're not done. I wish we were done," Leiweke said. "[Galaxy coach Bruce Arena] has given him the ability to go [to the Olympics].
"We are being supporters and fans of the Olympic Games in London. We helped put up seed money for their bid and [AEG's] O2 Arena in London is hosting gymnastics and basketball. We could not be bigger supporters of the Olympics."
Beckham spent five seasons in LA having signed from Real Madrid and impressed in his final year as he led the side to the MLS title tying for the most assists in the league and picked up the comeback player of the year award.
His global appeal and ability means he has had a number of lucrative offers to move elsewhere in the world, but Leiweke is still confident that he will decide to remain in LA in the future.
“It's not just Paris. He's had other offers," he said. "And every one is greater and more expansive, bigger than anything we're talking about. In addition to that, we have the added complication that David has the right to purchase a franchise in this league."
"There are a lot of issues we are going through. We are committed to David and he has always felt strongly about the Galaxy in LA. and it does not surprise me that his family would prefer to stay in LA," Leiweke said.
Le Parisien, meanwhile, reports that Beckham did not want to move to the leaders in France’s Ligue 1 due to the league being too physically demanding for him. Regardless, the Los Angeles Galaxy are happy that its star might be returning soon.
"I believe we're heading in the right direction. I'll repeat what I said in November: I believe David Beckham will play for the LA Galaxy this year."
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.