Beckham turns down PSG to keep his family in Los Angeles

The ex-England captain is in talks to sign a new contract with LA Galaxy (EPA)

David Beckham has decided not to join Paris St-Germain because it would be too difficult to uproot his family from Los Angeles, the French club's president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, said yesterday.

The former England captain had been linked with the Ligue 1 leaders for the past month but is now reported to be in discussions with his current club, the Los Angeles Galaxy, over a two-year contract extension after his previous deal expired at the end of last month. The new deal could be signed within the next few days.

"We didn't reach an agreement – he's a great player, I met him and it's bad luck we didn't reach an agreement," Khelaifi said. "We weren't far [from agreeing a deal], but there are family issues and I think that was the reason. It was very difficult to move the family."

Beckham has four children who have been schooled in California for the past four and a half years while Beckham has played in Major League Soccer. "It's over. It's a shame. But the welfare of his family in Los Angeles, the wish not to change everything in his life, weighed heavily," said PSG sporting director Leonardo of the proposed deal.

Beckham's Galaxy team-mate Robbie Keane will train with his former club Tottenham during the current MLS off-season, the north London club announced yesterday.

In much the same way as Beckham did last season, Keane is to stay in shape by joining the Spurs squad at their Chigwell base until 20 January. That is unless Aston Villa firm up their interest in taking the Republic of Ireland captain on loan. Manager Alex McLeish is said to be an admirer of Keane and Villa could certainly do with some additional firepower, having scored just 22 goals in 20 League games this season.

McLeish is hoping left-back Enda Stevens can quickly adjust to the demands of the Premier League after completing his move from Shamrock Rovers yesterday.

Stevens has become Villa's first capture of the January transfer window, although he signed a three-and-a-half-year, pre-contract last summer. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was allowed to remain with Shamrock for the first half of the campaign and competed in the Europa League.

McLeish said: "Enda is a player who has got some potential. He's a young player. There was interest in him and we decided to sign him."