Beckham´s Italian transfer gets backing

Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Ince is one of several leading English football figures who believe David Beckham will be a success in the Italian game if he joins AC Milan on loan.

The Italian giants said Wednesday they were confident of signing the England midfielder for a short spell in between seasons of Major League Soccer, where Beckham plays for LA Galaxy.

And Ince, who had a spell with Inter Milan after playing alongside Beckham at United, has no doubts about his former Old Trafford and England colleague's ability to adapt to the Italian game.

“His quality with the ball is the best I have ever witnessed. He is an inspirational player, he has been great for English football, he's an ambassador and a really good friend.

“It will be interesting to see how he gets on with the language but he can call me for a few tips.

“Mind you I would rather he signed for Inter than AC! I wish him all the best though.”

Ince said bringing Beckham to Blackburn was beyond the confines of his budget: “I would love to sign him but I just can't.”

Beckham needs to continue playing first-team football if he is to continue to get picked by England manager Fabio Capello and break 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore's record of 108 caps for an outfield player.

Reports in England claim Capello, a former Milan manager, helped smooth the way for Beckham's surprise move by calling Adriano Galliani, the Milan managing director, to vouch for the former Manchester United star.

England goalkeeper David James said: “I haven't spoken to David about it and don't know whether he's going to Milan but as a player I know he's still hungry and wants to play.

“Any player with international aspirations knows he has to be playing regularly and I'm sure that's the case with David.”

Harry Redknapp, James's manager at Portsmouth, added he hadn't given up hope of bringing Beckham to Fratton Park: “If he doesn't go to Milan maybe I'll try to sign him myself. He would be a great loan for anybody.

“I haven't made an enquiry but it has crossed my mind. Maybe I'll try tomorrow if it doesn't happen with Milan. David is still a great player, and you can't tell me he wouldn't be a great benefit to our Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe with his crossing.

“I'm sure he is going to break Bobby Moore's record for the number of outfield England caps now (108). I don't think he'll beat Peter Shilton's record (125) – but David James might do that.”

AC Milan arrive at Fratton Park on November 27 for a UEFA Cup tie and Redknapp added: “Would he come to Portsmouth? Why not? His missus (Beckham's wife, the former pop star Victoria Adams) might prefer shopping in Portsmouth to shopping in Milan. I don't know.

“The fact is he is still a top player and wants to play. And I'm sure we wouldn't be the only ones interested if he didn't go to Milan. They would be queuing up.”