David Beckham Transfer Rumours: 10 Bold Predictions for Beckham's Future
The speculation over David Beckham's future is getting more intense daily.
With the MLS season nearing its end, Beckham is inching closer to the end of his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
And he is rumoured to be headed back to Europe after the MLS season.
France's Paris St. Germain and England's Queens Park Rangers are the two clubs that have been linked most with a move for the former England captain.
They're not the only ones, though.
Apparently, Beckham has received 15 offers from clubs around the world, from England and France, to Brazil and the Middle East.
But this isn't a news piece. We're not going to round up all the rumours for you here.
Instead, this is going to be a rundown of 10 possible destinations for Beckham, ranked in order of how likely we think each scenario is.
Some might seem obvious. Some might seem impossible.
But as you already know, nothing is too crazy for the world football transfer market.
PSG
1 of 10Club
Paris St. Germain
Rumours
Why He Would Go There
It's Paris. You know Posh would love to live there. Plus, PSG is a hot favorite to make the Champions League with a high finish in the French league this season.
Why He Wouldn't Go There
It's France. Beckham would surely prefer a move back to England to end his career.
Odds
At one time, I thought this was nothing more than a pipe dream for PSG's big-money new owners. But now it seems like the odds-on destination for Beckham. 2-to-1
LA Galaxy
2 of 10Club
Los Angeles Galaxy
Rumours
Why He Would Stay
He wouldn't actually have to go anywhere, would he? Beckham is already there, and at his age (36), stability is more attractive than you might think.
Beckham has also repeatedly said his family will influence his decision. Here's guessing they like the weather in Southern California better than London, or Paris, or the Middle East.
The Galaxy have reportedly offered Beckham a new contract. If he signs it, Beckham would keep making tons of money and still be the most popular player in the league.
That's not a bad deal.
Why He Would Leave
Competition.
All players—even older ones—thirst for competition at the highest level. Beckham is no exception. He's had a great payday in MLS, but the league can't offer the same level of competition that a top European league can.
Odds
Better than you might think. 5-to-2
QPR
3 of 10Club
Queens Park Rangers
Rumours
Why He Would Go There
QPR play in the Premier League, which is, of course, where Beckham made his name with Manchester United in the 1990s.
Better yet, if he signed with QPR, he'd probably get a bunch of playing time.
Plus, the club play in London, which would surely be a preferred destination for Posh and the kids if Beckham heads back to England.
Why He Wouldn't Go There
QPR aren't really a glamorous side. They're a historic club with a great following, but they don't have the caché of a Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
Odds
This was a hot rumour for a while, but I don't see it happening now. 10-to-1
Spurs
4 of 10Club
Tottenham Hotspur
Rumours
Why He Would Go There
Spurs play in the Premier League, and they're a glamor club. Maybe they aren't Manchester United, but they are one of the bigger clubs in the country.
Spurs and Beckham have a history of flirtation dating back to last winter.
Plus, the club play in London, which would surely be a preferred destination for Posh and the kids.
Why He Wouldn't Go There
First-team football wouldn't necessarily be guaranteed.
Odds
This one is hard to gauge. Harry Redknapp has been known to pull off stunners in the transfer market, and this would certainly qualify. 12-to-1
Leicester City
5 of 10Club
Leicester City
Rumours
The Guardian and Fox Soccer but denied at BBC Sport
Why He Would Go There
Beckham would get to play and coach the Championship side. There's no better way to build his coaching credentials if that's the direction he decides to go once his playing career ends.
Why He Wouldn't Go There
They play in the Championship. And they play in Leicester. That's no dig at Leicester.
It's just that Beckham probably wants to play in a large, cosmopolitan market.
Odds
Not good, though I actually think this would be a good idea for Beckham. 50-to-1
Another MLS Team
6 of 10Club
Potential MLS expansion team, perhaps in San Diego or Miami
Rumours
Why He Would Go There
At the bottom of that article, it says Beckham has a clause in his contract that allows him to invest in a potential MLS expansion franchise.
Both possible candidates would play in large cities. Plus, Beckham could get into the front office side of the game.
Why He Wouldn't Go There
If he's staying in MLS, he probably wants to stay in Los Angeles.
Odds
Almost nil. 100-to-1
Mystery Brazilian Team
7 of 10Club
Rumours
All over the Internet, including The Telegraph, Goal and The Independent
Why He Would Go There
No one seems to be able to name a club, but Beckham reportedly would consider a move to Brazil.
Apparently, he'd relish the challenge.
Also, the World Cup will be in Brazil in 2014, but Beckham will be too old to play in it.
Why He Wouldn't Go There
Safety is an issue. Exposure would be limited. Corruption is notoriously rampant in Brazilian football.
Odds
This one doesn't make a bit of sense. 200-to-1
Mystery Middle Eastern Club
8 of 10Club
Rumours
All over the Internet, including The Telegraph, Goal and The Independent
Why He Would Go There
Again, no one seems to be able to name a club.
Diego Maradona's Al Wasl would be a decent guess, since they have the money and a big-time manager.
Beckham would probably also make a boat load of cash if he went to the Middle East.
Why He Wouldn't Go There
It's the Middle East. Safety is an issue. It's hot. He wouldn't get a ton of exposure to western markets.
Odds
Very low. 200-to-1
Manchester United
9 of 10Club
Manchester United
Rumours
Why He Would Go There
Do I really have to explain?
Why He Wouldn't Go There
Been there, done that.
Odds
Not impossible, but not likely either. 500-to-1
Arsenal
10 of 10Club
Arsenal
Rumours
None
Why He Would Go There
Beckham trained with Arsenal a few years back.
In 2010, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he'd consider a move for Beckham but added his squad didn't need the former England captain.
Arsenal play in London, which would surely be a preferred destination for Posh and the kids.
Why He Wouldn't Go There
They're not offering.
It's also likely he wouldn't play all that much, even though Arsenal could use the help.
Odds
Never say never, but… 1,000-to-1
