Galaxy 'will Wait for Beckham'

Despite claims to the contrary from Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber, LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas today insisted his club will not try and negotiate an early departure from Real Madrid for David Beckham.

Real manager Fabio Capello's decision to draw a public end to the midfielder's playing days at the Bernabéu prompted speculation that Beckham would leave before his contract expires this summer. Garber supported such talk by saying that he expected the Galaxy to do "everything they can" to bring Beckham in before the MLS season kicks off in April, but Lalas denied that any such talks had taken place.

"Our position is unchanged with regards to David Beckham," said Lalas. "We look forward to welcoming him in the summer and we respect his chance to honour his contract with Real Madrid. All our plans are that we will welcome David here in the summer. It would not be proper for an official from another club to comment on his situation in this context. We've made a point of letting him focus his attention and letting him focus on his team."

Lalas also reiterated his club's belief that Beckham's record-breaking transfer is just as much about footballing ability as the former England captain's star quality. "The positive impact and the response has been unlike anything our team or our league has ever seen," he said. "The attention and interest from everyone continues, and I'm really interested in watching our players deal with the situation. But first and foremost he is an incredible soccer player. The most important part of this equation is that we thought we were getting a first-rate player who can help us on the soccer pitch. We all agreed he was a player we were interested in, whether or not his name was David Beckham.

Lalas, who once scored against England in a friendly, also brushed aside the suggestion that Beckham's move to the MLS is a soft option. "Beckham is coming to the premier club in the US, the jewel of Major League Soccer. LA Galaxy has very high standards for any of our players not just David," he added. "[Those suggestions] are representative of a lack of knowledge that exists about the USA and the level of the soccer. It's rather insulting to the players and the teams we have over here. I think it's much competitive than many leagues around the world and David will be challenged in ways he has never been before and he's going to help elevate things."