By Alex Baker
A month ago it seemed all but certain that David Beckham would be departing the LA Galaxy this January to join French club Paris St. Germain. However in a dramatic reversal, it was revealed Monday by PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi that David Beckham would not be joining the Ligue 1 side after all.
‘David Beckham is in Los Angeles and will stay there,” said al-Khelaifi while speaking to French radio station RMC.
New reports have indeed indicated that the former England captain is currently on the verge of signing a new two year deal that will see him finish out his playing career with Galaxy. While the prospect of playing for an ambitious newly-moneyed club like PSG certainly would have held appeal to a player like Beckham, the deciding factor seems to have been his family.
Wife Victoria Beckham, a former Spice Girl, and the the couple’s four children are thought to have settled in Los Angeles and the player was reluctant to uproot them or apparently to spend significant time apart from them while plying his trade in the French capitol. Beckham’s new deal with the Galaxy will likely see him earn upwards of $5 million a season.
The fact that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man will be staying in LA is certainly good news for the Galaxy. The 2011 MLS champions have just lost their other key creative midfielder Juninho, who transferred back to his parent club in Brazil. Meanwhile Beckham’s Galaxy co-star Landon Donovan is currently on a two month loan to EPL side Everton and there is some speculation that the USA forward may remain with the Merseyside outfit on a permanent transfer.
Elsewhere, Beckham’s Galaxy teammate Robbie Keane is thought to be on the verge of joining Aston Villa on a two month loan deal.
