Beckham begins Milan talks

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is confident David Beckham will be a Rossoneri player sooner rather than later after revealing that the club are set to open talks with the Los Angeles Galaxy star in the next few hours.

News of the former England captain's possible loan switch to the Rossoneri in the January transfer window emerged last week, although all parties insist Beckham will return to America for the start of the new Major League Soccer season in March.

Galliani announced in a press conference today: "At first we thought they would arrive next week but instead Beckham's lawyers will be in Milan today.

"We will begin negotiations.

"I do not know if we will have a positive outcome or not but I hope and I believe that we will."

Galliani revealed that the meeting will take place in the afternoon but does not expect for a deal to be reached today.

"We still have to define everything," he added.

The former England captain had been a target of Milan before, in January 2007, but opted instead to move to Los Angeles from Real Madrid.

Beckham, who is under contract with the Galaxy until June 2012, has shown a keen interest in joining AC Milan during the MLS close-season to keep up his fitness and help his England prospects.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has given the blessing for the 33-year-old to join up with his squad, and provide more competition for places.

Ancelotti is looking forward to working with Beckham, who won his 107th England cap in the World Cup qualifying victory over Belarus earlier this month and is just one short of Bobby Moore's record for an outfield player.