5 Potential Premier League Loan Destinations for David Beckham

David Beckham looks set to extend his stay with Los Angeles Galaxy having earlier this month turned down an opportunity to join the new financial powerhouse of French football, Paris Saint Germain.

With the new Major League Soccer season commencing on March 10, some of its stars have already headed to the English Premier League as they look to stay in shape during the lengthy offseason.

Beckham famously helped set the tone for such moves with loan spells at AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. Those Italian sojourns mean the former England international knows first-hand the benefits of going on loan before the MLS season begins. But having suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in his second spell, he also is well aware of the risks.

The prospect of a loan move this time around is an interesting one for Beckham, not just for the decision he has to make over whether he can play for a Premier League club that is not Manchester United, something he has expressed an unwillingness to do in the past.

Beckham has to consider that the upcoming MLS season is the longest in the league's short history, while he also is in contention for a place in Great Britain's Olympic squad this summer.

Would a spell out on loan help him build up fitness for what may be a long year ahead of him, or will it take an unnecessary toll on the 36-year-old's body?

Should Beckham decide a loan move is to his benefit (and his club allow him out), and with a return home to England the most likely destination, just what clubs might be in contention for his signature?

Here are five potential loan destinations for David Beckham, in which each is examined from the perspective of whether they will be a good fit for the player and/or the club.

Tottenham Hotspur

The Player

David Beckham trained with Tottenham Hotspur this time last year. Though the primary reason was to help him maintain hit fitness ahead of the MLS season, there were ultimately unsuccessful negotiations to try and arrange a two-month loan deal.

As he already knows the place and many of the players, Beckham would quickly settle at Spurs. Their lofty position in the league table also means he would get the opportunity to contribute to a good team fighting to stay in contention for the title and a Champions League place.

This latter point might be a reason why Spurs might not appeal, as Beckham might not be keen to play for a team possibly competing with his beloved Manchester United. A regular starting spot in the side would be unlikely, too, with Aaron Lennon in possession of right midfield and central midfield spots all taken.

The Club

Harry Redknapp has not been shy in making known his fondness for Beckham as a person, remarking last year on his professionalism and the good example he set for his players.

Having been a part of successful league winning sides with Manchester United, Real Madrid and now LA Galaxy, Beckham's experience might be something the Tottenham manager feels could be of help as Spurs attempt to mount a title challenge of their own.

Redknapp might however be unsure of just how much use he can get out of Beckham on the football pitch.

The Tottenham midfield is pretty settled already, with other midfielders like Steven Pienaar and Niko Kranjcar already waiting their turn. While the prospect for having Beckham as an option to bring on might appeal to Redknapp, Spurs' style of football is not at reliant on aerial balls as it was this time last year.

Even in the hunt for a late goal, the emphasis would be on moving the ball around quickly and to feet. Beckham is no dunce in this respect, but he might not fit in as quickly to Tottenham's style as might be liked.

Queens Park Rangers

The Player

David Beckham at Queens Park Rangers would have sounded ludicrous a few years ago, not so much now.

On paper, a loan spell with QPR offers Beckham the chance to be the star at Loftus Road, something their owner Tony Fernandes would make sure of. If everything went well he would be remembered as the man who came and helped keep them in the Premier League.

However Beckham would be well aware that such a fairytale is unlikely. QPR are struggling for form right now, and though in Mark Hughes they have a good all-around manager capable of keeping them alive, being part of a fight to keep their head above water might not be the ideal way Beckham wants to spend his months away from L.A.

The Club

Beckham joining QPR would undoubtedly give them the kind of publicity they may never have previously experienced. The owner Fernandes would welcome the chance to parade such a star signing around his ground, even a temporary one.

If in the process shirt sales go up, it can only be a good thing. Right?

Hughes knows Beckham has talent capable of contributing to his new side, but the whole circus that would accompany his arrival might not be what he has in mind for what his team needs right now.

Rangers' midfield is already in pretty good shape, and while Beckham might be a nice contributor for a while, the transfer priorities for Hughes lay elsewhere. He is already attempting to shore up his defence with bids to sign Blackburn's Christopher Samba and Chelsea's Alex, while the next target beyond them will likely be a reliable goal scorer or two up front.

Everton

The Player

Maybe Beckham could do with a bit more time away from his L.A. Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan. After all, they'll be spending most of the year playing together. Then again, the opportunity to get back in sync with a player he will be working with might hold some appeal.

This is not the sole reason why a loan spell with Everton might work for Beckham. In David Moyes he would get the chance to work under a disciplined, focused boss who would certainly give him the ideal preparation for the upcoming MLS year. The similarities to another certain Scottish coach might be why this would, or wouldn't, work for him.

The Toffees would give Beckham great environs in which to play Premier League football for a couple of months, both in Goodison Park itself and in their league position means they are neither too worried about relegation nor stressing about a title challenge. They are, however, lacking in firepower which would partially negate Beckham's ability to contribute to the side.

The Club

Everton are in need of a boost right now. With chairman Bill Kenwright's struggle to find an appropriate buyer for the club, or at least a serious investor, Beckham's high profile could be a useful tool in attracting such investment.

What Beckham could provide on the pitch however is not so clear. As mentioned already, Everton (as of writing) aren't blessed with the sort of forwards that would thrive on the midfielder's service.

Getting him in on-loan does mean the cash-strapped club wouldn't have to spend bid to inject some more quality for a while, but with Donovan already in and the midfield well-stocked, Moyes will probably feel his attention in the transfer market are better focused on getting that much needed striker.

Stoke City

The Player

Stoke City are another one of those destinations that would have seemed extremely unlikely for Beckham a few years back. Now, they are not altogether bad fit for him.

Tony Pulis' side get a raw deal on the whole. While their emphasis is on a more direct style, the generalisation that they are just a long-ball side is unfair and a disservice to players like Matthew Etherington, Jermaine Pennant and Jonathan Walters who have instilled genuine quality in the side these past couple of seasons.

Stoke's quality in the wide positions mean Beckham might not be guaranteed a starter there, but Pulis has shown himself pretty adept at rotating his team when and where necessary. He is the type of manager who could get the best out of a loan signing like Beckham in such a short period.

Beckham would certainly have targets to get the most out of his crosses and set pieces. From Walters, Peter Crouch and Ricardo Fuller up front, to the imposing aerial threats of Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross and Jonathan Woodgate coming up from the back.

Stoke might not be the best club Beckham would have ever played for, but they will provide him with an enjoyable place to play his football for a little while.

The Club

Some of the reasons why Stoke would be good for Beckham are why Beckham would be good for Stoke. He is a player with the attributes to be a major contributor to the type of football they play and for a couple of months would be a good addition to their squad.

Stoke are still in the Europa League so having an extra pair of legs for a while will only be of benefit. Also for a club seeking to continue their rise to the big time, Beckham is the kind of person who by being at the club could give them some added impetus in their climb upwards in more ways that one.

Arsenal

The Player

Arsenal are not as good as they were when David Beckham was previously playing in the Premier League, but they are a club that would still remain an enticing prospect for the midfielder.

Having previously trained with Arsenal while getting fit for England, Beckham has some idea of how Arsene Wenger and the club works. Though it has been quite some time he has been away from the top-level quality of football the Gunners aspire, too, Beckham's own quality of passing would not be out of place among the club's best footballers.

A starting spot though would be very unlikely should Beckham go there. He would have to decide whether being a bit player, even at a club as big as Arsenal, would satisfy him for a couple of months.

The Club

Arsenal signing David Beckham on loan, it must be said, seems extremely unlikely. Wenger has already brought back Thierry Henry from the MLS for a two-month spell, but that was necessary cover up front. They are not so lacking in midfield, and Wenger might be loathe to play the older Beckham at the expense of one of his younger players.

But Arsenal more than anything still lack experience, and give off the impression of lacking leadership. Beckham would not be the sole remedy to these problems, but he may be able to bring some know-how that could be of benefit for developing players like Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as well as on the pitch in some circumstances.

The fact is Arsenal could do with some alternative options to their typical way of playing. Beckham has enough quality that he would not be some oaf lumbering among the sophisticated. He would also give them the option of someone who can provide dangerous service for Robin van Persie who needs all the consistency of help he can get in this area.

The question has to be asked, with the Gunners facing an uphill task to get back in the top four, what harm would having Beckham around do?