After Manchester United's and Real Madrid's summer wrangling over Cristiano Ronaldo a new footballing tug-of-war is emerging - that of David Beckham's proposed loan move to Italians AC Milan.

The LA Galaxy supremo is desperate to join up with the Serie A giants to help keep his England career on track.

And after a frantic few weeks of discussions and rumours the 'will he or won't he' deal was threatening to turn in to another of football's ever increasing saga's.

Step in Fabio Capello.

After a few words from the England boss to Milan's vice-president Adriano Galliani all that seems left to iron out is whether Beckham's loan deal will last until Galaxy's pre-season begins next March or until the end of the Serie A season a couple of months later.

Nevertheless, the question must be asked as to whether or not Beckham would actually want to return to Los Angeles following three or four months playing alongside international superstars like Kaka, Ronaldinho, Gattuso, Pirlo, Pato and co. ?

It is certainly a different league to the Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto adventures Beckham is currently enjoying with his US employers.

Rumour has it Milan will look to make Beckham's move permanent next summer and the lure of playing alongside some of the biggest names in the world - and thus having the opportunity to prolong his international career - could prove too tempting for 'Golden Balls' to turn his back on.

Whether or not the Major League Football, whoops, I mean Soccer, bigwigs would allow such a permanent move to take place remains highly unlikely.

After all, there is only so long Mickey and co. can play before their temptations get the better of them and they lift the ball, run 100 yards and score a 'touchdown'.

That is why they signed Beckham after all!

And the former United ace has himself been careful to ensure an initial loan move to Italy goes ahead as planned before any talk of a permanent move gets out of control.

"AC Milan is one of the biggest clubs in the world," says Beckham.

"[But] it doesn't mean I'm leaving the States - I'm still very committed to being a Galaxy player.
"The MLS is in a great position at the moment.

"My hope for the season coming with the Galaxy is to win trophies.

"That is a big part of why I'm here," he continues.

However, if Beckham wins a few more international caps and is breaking down the door to Peter Shilton's record 125 outings for the Three Lions will he really give it up for a nation more in love with the NFL, baseball, ice-hockey, beef burgers and scrabble than they are in football?

Beckham's contract with the MLS runs until 2012, by which stage his England career will be well and truly finished.

Whether or not he sees out that contract and whether or not he goes on to become England's
most capped player will be sorted well before that.

In the meantime, I hear Galaxy's next big signing will be Goofy...