Beckham wants to join Tottenham, Redknapp says

LONDON - Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham wants to join Tottenham Hotspur on loan, according to the London club's manager Harry Redknapp.

"He just said he'd like to come and play here at Tottenham," Redknapp told reporters after Spurs beat Fulham 1-0 on Saturday to move up to fourth in the Premier League.

Galaxy's Major League Soccer (MLS) season restarts on March 15. Former England captain Beckham played on loan at AC Milan during similar breaks in 2009 and 2010.

"We'd have to (move fast)," said Redknapp. "I've left it to the people at the club (Spurs). I've passed it on to them. They're talking to whoever they have to talk to at his club."

Redknapp said Darren Eales, Tottenham's director of football administration, was trying to persuade Galaxy to allow Beckham to join Spurs who are in the last 16 of the Champions League.

"We'll contact LA Galaxy to see if they will let him go and if David is up for a three-month deal, we will definitely be interested," Redknapp said on Friday.

Beckham, 35, said in October he would not go out on loan again after missing last year's World Cup in South Africa with an Achilles tendon injury picked up playing for AC Milan, who face Spurs in the Champions League first knockout round next month.

The Londoner, who has 115 England caps, has already turned down the opportunity to join Everton on loan while Galaxy could also be reluctant to let him go after last season's injury.

However, Beckham appears to have had a change of heart and wants a spell back in the English top flight almost eight years after he left Manchester United for Real Madrid.

He has maintained his desire to play for his country and a temporary move to London could appeal as he looks to force his way back into England manager Fabio Capello's plans.

Reuters

(China Daily 01/03/2011 page11)