Milan offer England lifeline to Beckham

David Beckham today moved to save his England career by opening talks to join AC Milan on loan.

England coach Fabio Capello has warned he won't pick anyone for the friendly against Spain in February who is not playing regularly for a club, presenting a problem for the 33-year-old whose LA Galaxy season finishes this week.

The move to Serie A, which is being discussed today, would allow Beckham to continue playing competitively from January to March when he would return to the States for the new Major League Soccer season.

Beckham's agent Simon Oliveira said: "Nothing is confirmed yet, but the intention is to go to AC Milan on loan for January and February. He would be going there with the view to keeping fit and being available for selection for England.

"The idea is he then goes back to the Galaxy to join up with their pre-season in March. He will not be joining AC Milan permanently. He had a five-year contract with the Galaxy and has three years left and every intention of fulfilling that."

Beckham needs two more appearances to become England's most-capped outfield player, taking him past Bobby Moore, who played 108 internationals.

During the last MLS close season, Beckham trained at Arsenal but did not play for the Gunners first team.

However, on this occasion the loan deal will allow him to represent the Italian giants in both Serie A and the UEFA Cup.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said: "Will Beckham arrive? I believe so, yes. He will stay at Milan on loan for some months, we are talking about it with his agent. Beckham has chosen Milan. Our squad is ultra-competitive and it will stay like that but Beckham is something different and intriguing."