Beckham shows desperation for Spurs loan
David Beckham is prepared to swallow a pay cut of more than $100,000 in a final attempt to push through his much-desired loan move from the Los Angeles Galaxy to Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League.
David Beckham did some light training Tuesday in North London.
(Paul Childs/Getty Images)
The 35-year-old midfielder already arrived in London and underwent medical examinations at Tottenham on Monday while being photographed in the club's tracksuit and training gear. Beckham will only practice with Tottenham and return to California in early February without having played an EPL game unless a complicated financial arrangement can be reached between Spurs and the Galaxy.
That is where it is hoped Beckham's offer to receive a lower-than-usual pay packet for the duration of his stay in the United Kingdom could smooth out some of the remaining issues.
According to sources close to the deal, Beckham has indicated he would only seek payment in accordance with his basic salary of around $120,000 per week while at Tottenham and would forgo any image rights associated with his time in North London. That gesture is a powerful indicator of just how much Beckham wants this temporary move, one which he feels represents his final chance to stay in contention for Fabio Capello's England national team.
A chance Christmas-shopping encounter with Jamie Redknapp, son of Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, first prompted the possibility of a stint at White Hart Lane, where Beckham trained as a youngster. The idea has since gripped Beckham's imagination, prompting his advisers to vigorously pursue an official loan deal.
The Galaxy have held firm. The Major League Soccer team doesn't want a repeat of the situation a year ago, when Beckham damaged an Achilles tendon while on loan with AC Milan. The injury kept him out of the World Cup and most of the Galaxy's season.
With only one year left on Beckham's contract, the Galaxy are keen to maximize their money – especially since the star's time in Los Angeles after a much-publicized move from Real Madrid in 2007 has been drastically curtailed by several injuries.
The Galaxy are driving a hard bargain by stipulating their need to be reimbursed for high insurance fees to safeguard against financial losses if Beckham is seriously injured again. Tottenham is weighing its options but won't be held for ransom. Despite Beckham's efforts, an impasse remains.
The length of time for negotiations means a typical and formal loan is growing less likely by the day. Spurs originally wanted Beckham until March, but the Galaxy are talking about only releasing him until February 10 – the day he would be expected to report for preseason training in L.A.
