Milan Want Beckham Until At Least June 2010

AC Milan are willing to sign David Beckham until at least the end of next season, a source at the Italian club said on Wednesday.

The England midfielder, on a two-month loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy until March 9, has said he wants to stay with the Serie A club as he tries to increase his chances of playing at a fourth World Cup in 2010.

"We hope to sign Beckham until at least June 30, 2010", an AC Milan source said. The former England captain will be 35-year-old by the start of the next World Cup in South Africa.

Milan remain confident of sealing a deal by Friday after a deadline imposed by Major League Soccer to complete the move passed last week.

Milan director Umberto Gandini is expected to fly to Los Angeles on Thursday to try to negotiate the transfer.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said on Tuesday there was still "a bit of distance" between the two sides over the deal, but talks have been continuing.

Various estimates of the transfer fee required by Galaxy have been cited by the media after Milan's opening offer of five million euros ($6.3 million) was turned down.

Some reports have said Galaxy want about 12 million while Milan sources say they are only willing to go to eight.