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Arena says Beckham will return to L.A. Galaxy

Coach downplays speculation that English star will stay with AC Milan

Image: Beckham Getty Images
AC Milan midfielder David Beckham warms up prior to his team's game against Genoa CFC on Wednesday.

CARSON, Calif. - Galaxy coach Bruce Arena dismissed reports from Italy that David Beckham could stay with AC Milan beyond his current loan.

“No one ever knows the accuracy of anything,” Arena said after practice Thursday. “Everything gets distorted, so we don’t concern ourselves with those kind of reports.”

Beckham joined AC Milan in December on a loan that ends March 8. He has started four games and scored twice.

“He’s going to be back here March 9,” Arena said. “We’ve entered into a loan agreement with AC Milan (in which) the player, his agent, AC Milan, ourselves and Major League Soccer understand the guidelines.”

Beckham was quoted in Corriere della Sera on Wednesday as saying he might want to stay with AC Milan beyond March 8. AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said Wednesday that club officials will meet with Beckham’s representatives to discuss the possibility of retaining him, and that AC Milan would offer a $6.5 million transfer fee.

“Do we talk about it? Yeah, we talk about it all the time,” Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein said of himself and his teammates. “We’ve talked to him a little bit. But it’s the same as you hear in the press. He’s enjoying his time but he knew he was going to enjoy his time before he left. I count David as a friend. Speaking for myself. I want what’s best for him. That may not be what’s best for the Galaxy at this point. It may be.”

Beckham signed a $32.5 million, five-year contract with Major League Soccer in 2007.

Galaxy forward Landon Donovan is on loan with Bayern Munich until March 8 and may want to stay with the German team.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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