Soccer: PSG in talks to sign Beckham

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham. Photo / AP

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed they are in "discussions" over the signing of David Beckham but revealed little else about the situation.

Beckham, 36, will be freed from his Los Angeles Galaxy contract in a matter of days and has expressed interest in the project that PSG are assembling with the huge financial backing of owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).

"We're in discussions but there is nothing else at the moment," QSI president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told AFP.

"That's what we can say about him today. As soon as we've found an agreement with him or he's signed, we'll announce it. And there's no deadline for that."

PSG and their sporting director, Leonardo, are believed to have been in negotiations with Beckham for several weeks and have offered him an 18-month contract.

Sources close to the talks say that Beckham is stalling because he wants to retain control of his image rights and earn a share of the revenue from future sales of replica shirts bearing his name.

Al-Khelaifi denies those reports, however, and says the former England captain remains committed to his contract at the Galaxy.

"Not at all. He's someone who's loyal to his employer and at the moment I'm sure that he's focused on LA," said the Qatari.

"He has a contract and he respects it."

Beckham says he's not thinking about whether his five-year stint with the Galaxy is nearing an end because he is too busy trying to win his first MLS title.

"I haven't even thought about what's next," said Beckham, after the Galaxy defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-1 to advance to the MLS western conference final.

"Right now, I'm just thinking about the moment and winning a championship."

Beckham has admitted that he is desperate to earn a place in the Great Britain team at next year's Olympics in his home city of London and has also been linked with English clubs Tottenham Hotspur, QPR and Leicester City.

The Galaxy will battle Real Salt Lake on Sunday at the Home Depot Center stadium in south Los Angeles.

The winners will face the eastern Conference champions, Houston or Kansas City, in the MLS Cup final on November 20.

Beckham joined the Galaxy from Real Madrid amid much fanfare in 2007 but has yet to taste success in the national championship during his time at the club.

- AFP