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Beckham open to Premier League return

Simon Stone,Pa
Tuesday 08 September 2009 10:29 BST
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Beckham will play in Europe later this year
Beckham will play in Europe later this year (GETTY IMAGES)

David Beckham has opened the door for a return to the Premier League.

Beckham will win his 114th England cap tomorrow night if introduced during the World Cup qualifier with Croatia at Wembley.

But if he is to remain at the forefront of Fabio Capello's plans for South Africa 2010, the 34-year-old knows he must return to Europe.

A short-term deal is already in place for Beckham to join AC Milan once more.

However, there are alternatives beyond that, which include Premier League offers, even if Beckham remains committed to Los Angeles Galaxy.

"I have got plans," said Beckham.

"I will finish the MLS season. After that, everybody knows that I'll be coming back to play somewhere.

"LA Galaxy know that. If it upsets a few people, I can't do anything about it.

"I keep saying how much I enjoy playing over there and how committed I am to the Galaxy, I think I will be back there after the World Cup.

"But there is a possibility that the contract might break in the autumn and I do have options.

"Milan have made me aware that they want me to go back there and I'm more than happy with that.

"But I have also had another three or four offers, so when the time is right, I will decide."

The prospect of Beckham being back in the Premier League, even if he will have turned 35 by that point, is an appealing one, especially as for all his platitudes for LA Galaxy, a section of the club's support have turned against him.

By then he could have become the first England player to have appeared at four World Cup finals.

Although he remained rooted to the bench during an international for the first time in 11 years on Saturday as England overcame Slovenia, evidence provided by the past 12 months suggests Beckham's name is already pencilled in for one of the 23 spaces Capello will have available, providing England get the win they need from their final three matches.

Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon might all be able to provide blinding speed and the ability to beat a man but none can match Beckham's experience or accuracy from set-piece situations.

That priceless attribute could allow Beckham to achieve a personal milestone at the expense of someone who have never been to one. Not that the former Three Lions skipper would feel bad.

"I wouldn't have any reason to feel guilty," said Beckham.

"The manager will pick a squad he thinks he needs for games. If I'm in it, then great. If I can come on with the experience I have and help the team, I will.

"If I'm not, it's good for the other players."

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