David Beckham: Top 10 Possible Destinations for the Star in 2011
David Beckham is planning on another loan move to Europe next month to maintain match fitness and impress England boss Fabio Cappello.
The former England captain has been forced into international retirement by Capello after missing the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with injury during a similar loan spell at AC Milan last season.
But just like he was told his International career was over when he moved to the States and like he was told his Real Madrid career was over when he agreed a pre-contract agreement with LA Galaxy, we know Beckham does not quit without an effort.
Speaking as he collected a lifetime achievement award in Birmingham this week Beckham said:
"I will be going back somewhere as I want to keep myself fit and keep myself in with a chance of getting called up for England again. To do that, I have to be somewhere. so fingers crossed I can sort something out.
"I have always missed playing in the Premier League since I left it almost eight years ago.
"It is a great league and one of the most competitive in the world. Maybe one day I will come back here, but I have always said that it will only be for Manchester United. I am not holding my breath on that one, but we will have to wait and see."
Now the big question for all LA Galaxy and David Beckham fans is where will the former Real Madrid ace find himself in the new year with demand for the star expected to be great.
Here is my top 10 predictions for where the England star will be playing. Enjoy!
10: Leicester City
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The Foxes are managed by former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson and the much-travelled Swede has made no secret of his wish to bring Beckham to the Walkers Stadium.
The icon was Eriksson's captain during his five years as England manager, as he and Beckham led the Three Lions to three major finals.
The odds of Beckham dropping down the Championship are slim however, despite the Foxes being coached by his former national boss.
Eriksson has already approached the former Madrid star twice since moving the Leicester and has been linked with Spurs forward Robbie Keane and Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz.
Eriksson told the BBC at the start of the month:
"I spoke to David's agent to see if there was a chance. He said it was not possible. I knew, but I had to try.
"If you talk about Beckham, of course I would take Beckham, but I don't think he will go anywhere.
"The club he is playing for don't want another year like they had when he went to Milan.
"I don't think it would be fair if we are in the middle of the table to pay the money and it is difficult for a player to drop down that much in terms of level.
"We will go on trying but it is difficult."
We now know of course Beckham is set to return to Europe at the age of 35, and Eriksson confirmed ambitious Leicester will try again.
Eirksson said on Monday: "I would try again and that would be the third time.
"But no, he will not come I am pretty sure, so we can forget that story."
Unlikely yes, but so was Golden Ball's surprise move to LA Galaxy, so it's not impossible to believe.
9. Sao Paulo
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Sao Paulo assistant Milton Cruz admitted he made an audacious attempt to lure the ex-England captain to Brazil next month.
Cruz confirmed he was politely turned down by Becks during a chance meeting with the pair as Cruz attented a wedding in America.
The Brazilian said: "I went to see if there was a chance of bringing in Beckham for a position that the squad needs and the fans want filled.
"It is a negotiation that would be extremely difficult to complete, but we know that in football, the most impossible thing can become reality.
"At the moment he wants to stay with the Galaxy. He returned from surgery recently and he needs to continue playing to get better physically.
"The best players however will always be in the sights of Sao Paulo."
Beckham hopes of impressing Capello would be limited if he moved to South America and his rejection is no surprise. It would be interesting if it did happen however.
8. Sydney FC
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The reigning A league Champions made the ambitious approach to lure Beckham down under in January after his exhibition match with Newcastle Jets earlier this season.
It is reported Becks suggested he would be interested in short-term loan to Australia but the timing was not ideal.
In the same way the Leicester City and Sao Paulo deals are unlikely, Beckham's hopes of catching the eye of Fabio Capello will be weakened playing in league with a similar standard to the MLS.
The Aussies planned to make Beckham their "special guest" signing after contact between a board member and the player.
Just like Beckham is attempting to increase the profile of soccer in USA, a similar high profile move to Australia would have the same effect on a growing league.
7. Arsenal
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Arsene Wenger allowed Beckham to train with the Gunners in 2008 as the former Manchester United aimed to win his 100th England cap.
The Frenchman has made no secret of his likeness for Beckham, and as Arsenal look to capture their first silverware since 2005, a boost from Beckham's arrival could be just what the Gunners need.
The former England captain may find it difficult to win over Arsenal fans, however, due to his Manchester United past and being a Tottenham Hotspur fan as a child.
Beckham's comments that he could only see himself playing in the Premier League with the Red Devils also makes the move unlikely, but once again stranger things have happened.
If no approach comes from Old Trafford and Arsenal pick up one or two injuries between now and the end of the window, it could happen. Would Beckham be accepted at the Emirates?
6. West Ham
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The struggling Londoners have been one of the numerous clubs linked with a move the LA Galaxy star.
West Ham's chairman David Sullivan, who has targeting numerous stars since arriving at the Hammers last year, including Beckham's former Man Utd and Madrid teammate Ruud Van Nistlerooy, admitted it would be "fantastic" for the club.
Beckham is planning to move to boost his slender chances of an international recall and Sullivan believes a move to the side propping up the Premier League would be "fitting."
Sullivan said: "Our belief is that he is still a great player and it would be a fantastic achievement if he came to West Ham.
"He's an East End boy and it would be a fitting end to his career."
The idea of saving the Hammers from relegation may appeal to Beckham, and he will be guaranteed a first team place at Upton Park.
A move to Avram Grant's side however would be unlikely, but bigger clubs will surely be interested in Beckham. Sullivan and the Hammers may need to play the sentimental card to lure him to East London.
5. Tottenham
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A childhood Spurs fan, Beckham reportedly idolised skillful former Tottenham star and manager Glenn Hoddle during the Eighties.
With Spurs juggling the Premier League and Champions League football, boss Harry Redknapp is expected to bring in reinforcements in January.
Right winger David Bentley, once dubbed the future David Beckham during his days at Blackburn Rovers, is expected to leave White Hart Lane, so that possibly opens a space in the side.
However Redknapp, tipped for the England job, has apparently poured cold water on any chance of the free kick specialist ending his Premier League career with Spurs.
Redknapp told TalkSport: "I've never thought about David Beckham coming here," the Tottenham manager told TalkSPORT.
'He's a fantastic player, I've got great respect for David Beckham, but it's not an area that I've been looking at."
Beckham could still find himself back at White Hart Lane this even if it is not with Spurs. The Londoners are paired with AC Milan in the Champions League, where Beckham enjoyed two loan spells with in recent years.
4. Everton
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Everton have admitted Beckham will be welcome with open arms in January as David Moyes looks to improve his struggling sides fortunes.
The long serving Scotsman has a history of bringing in January loans to boost his squad, with LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan enjoying three months at the club last year.
Donovan's fellow American Brian McBride also enjoyed a similar loan spell with the Toffee's in the past and Moyes has admitted the door is open.
Speaking in November Moyes said: "I hope that if David wanted to come he would give me a call. He only needs to call me or Phil Neville.
"He knows how to get hold of Phil and he knows how to get hold of me.
"We would have to look into it financially. But if he came and said to me 'I would like to come and play' then I would have to go to the chairman and ask if we could make it work by selling enough replica shirts."
Moyes, who played with Beckham during his loan spell at Preston aged 19, will be hoping Beckham's relationship with club captain Phil Neville will lure him to Merseyside.
Unlike Liverpool, Manchester United players have been better accepted at Everton by both Toffee and Red Devil fans with Louis Saha also at Goodison Park.
A club with links to LA Galaxy with a good manager and fanbase may appeal to Beckham.
3. Wolfsburg
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Former England boss Steve McClaren finds himself sitting uncomfortably in the Wolfsburg hot seat with his miss-hitting side sitting 13th in the Bundesliga.
And rumours in recent days have linked the former Manchester United assistant has been linked with taking Beckham to Germany.
With Beckham seemingly suggesting his only Premier League club will be Manchester United, a move to Germany has been suggested.
What is unclear however is the pair's relationship after Steve McClaren stripped David Beckham of his captaincy during his time as England manager.
However, his reluctance to play in the Premier League unless with Man U. gives this move a chance still.
2. Manchester United
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David Beckham admitted he can only imagine returning to the Premier League with Manchester United.
Speaking earlier this week, Beckham confirmed he will not be returning to AC Milan where he spent the last two years.
Beckham said: "'I've missed playing in the Premier League since I left it seven years ago now.
"It's one of the most competitive leagues in the world and maybe one day I'll come back and play here, but I've always said it will only be for Manchester United.
'I'm not holding my breath on that one but we'll have to wait and see."
But after leaving Old Trafford under a cloud in 2003 following a series of run-ins with Sir Alex, is it possible to return to the theatre of dreams?
Ferguson's history shows his reluctance to bring former players back to Old Trafford, especially ones who have crossed him.
And with United unbeaten in the Premier League, do they need Beckham? He would of course be welcomed back by the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville as well by the Old Trafford fans.
And with Sir Alex adding veterens such as Henrik Larsson and Laurent Blance to his side in the past, we know age is not important to him.
I share the view of many Manchester United fans. It would be fantastic to see him back in the Premier League for one last spell with the Red Devils, but who knows whether it will happen?
1. Nowhere
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At 35 Becks' hopes of an England recall will always be slim, and LA Galaxy seem determined to ensure he goes nowhere this January.
And following his Achilles injury he picked up last season on loan at AC Milan, it is clear to see why the club does not want its prized assets (Landon Donovan included) going out on loan this season.
The American, like Beckham, enjoyed a successful loan spell in the Premier League with Everton to maintain match fitness ahead of the World Cup, and did so injury-free.
A statement by the Galaxy read:
"We are not aware that David is looking to be loaned to any other team, and we are fully expecting he reports with the rest of his Galaxy teammates in late January for the upcoming season."
It is a crushing blow to Beckham, but will it make a difference? Beckham enters his final season with the Americans this year, and nothing has stopped him heading out on loan in recent seasons.
Beckham may be hoping for a Premier League reunion with Sir Alex, but the LA Galaxy appear to fight tooth and nail to keep him in the States next month.
Whatever happens, it certainly won't be boring.
