LONDON – Paris Saint-Germain became the latest team Friday to express an interest in signing David Beckham when his Major League Soccer contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy expires in November.
PSG sporting director Leonardo worked with Beckham when the former England captain had a second spell on loan at AC Milan last year, and said the “door was open” if the midfielder wanted to move to the French capital.
“He is more than a football player – he’s a brand, a pop star. I would always consider him,” Leonardo told the BBC. “He respects the rules, listens to you and wants the best for the team. That’s why, for me, he is a big example. I worked with him and that’s why I talk about his name.”
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PSG was recently taken over by wealthy Qatari backers and reportedly spent a club-record €42 million ($60 million) to sign Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore in August.
The club was one of the biggest spenders in Europe’s off-season transfer window, which closed on Aug. 31, and is fourth in the French league after five games as it seeks its first league title since 1994.
Qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2004 could make the club an even more attractive proposition for Beckham.
“I coached him at AC Milan and we created a good relationship,” Leonardo said of Beckham. “He is someone that I really appreciate and admire so much – his values and everything he has done in football.”
Premier League clubs Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers have already said they would like to sign the 36-year-old Beckham.
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