David Beckham announced that he will leave the LA Galaxy next month after the MLS Cup against Houston Dynamo on December 1st. Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007 after he left Real Madrid. Since, he has won three Western Conference titles and the MLS Cup last season. He certainly achieved his goal to raise the profile of the MLS and soccer in the United States. Beckham signed a two-year extension in January after his original five-year contract expired.
Beckham said: “I’ve had an incredibly special time playing for the LA Galaxy; however, I wanted to experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career.”
However, David Beckham will remain close to the league. According to his new contract, David Beckham is allowed to become part of an expansion team ownership group. David Beckham confirms: “I don’t see this as the end of my relationship with the league as my ambition is to be part of the ownership structure in the future.”
The MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, said: “When David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007, he set out to help grow MLS and the sport of soccer in North America.”
Teams around the world already chasing Beckham, however, only one point is almost for certain, a return to England, Spain or Italy is unlikely. Here the clubs that are most likely:
Paris Saint-Germain FC
PSG is owned by the Qatar Investment Authority and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is willing to invest €100m on the transfer market. PSG will be a major force in the Champions League over the next years and was just joined by Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thiago Motta. There are another two key facts that make PSG the clear favorite. Manager Ancelotti and Sporting Director Leonardo both know Beckham from his time at AC Milan and chased him last year with a short 6 month contract. And last but not least – Victoria Beckham. Victoria just established herself as a designer and Paris is one of the biggest designer cities. Victoria will certainly be a major influence in his decision. Clearly, PSG is the front-runner at the moment.
Shanghai Shenhua
The Chinese Super League team Shanghai Shenhua is also after Beckham. Shanghai is owned by the Chinese business man Zhu Jun. In recent years, he decided to bring in a number of marquee players at any cost. In 2011 and 2012, Zhu Jun convinced Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka to join the club. Drogba signed a two-and-a-half year deal and earns an astonishing £200,000 a week. Shanghai Shenhua will certainly make an offer that David Beckham can’t refuse; however, but Victoria won’t be happy about a move to Shanghai.
Melbourne Heart
Chief executive Scott Munn confirmed that the Hearts will make an offer. It is speculated that Beckham would become a guest player for 10 weeks. Munn said:”What I can say is that it’s certainly real, we’re putting forward an offer, it’s compelling and the opportunity is here for him to come here.” The A-League struggled over the years with low attendance and financial troubles. Sidney FC was just joined by Alessandro Del Piero. A long term commitment of David Beckham is unlikely, but a 10 week gig quite interesting.
