Beckham: Milan move is all about the football

David Beckham wants to stay with AC Milan for sporting reasons and has said that the financial side of any potential transfer does not concern him.

The former England captain admitted for the first time on Wednesday that he wants to stay with the San Siro side rather than return to LA Galaxy once his three month loan period expires on March 8.

"At the moment Milan is more important than money. I want to think about football before everything else. I said in a clear manner what I think, I want to stay at Milan because I've rediscovered myself as a football player," he told Corriere dello Sport.

"The immediate aim is to stay here in Milan and play at the highest level possible. This would give me the best possibility of securing a place with the England national team."

Beckham's lawyers have been called in to effect the move and though Galaxy have remained publicly resistant to the loss of their prime asset and cash cow, coach Bruce Arena was far less obstructive than previously when in an interview on Thursday he said: "We are going to do in the end whatever is best for the Galaxy. There is always a contingency plan for everything."

Beckham has started all five Rossoneri matches since arriving, scoring two goals to beome "indispensable," according to coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"Not even I thought the situation could go so well so quickly. In truth I was expecting to do well at Milan, but I was never expecting to enjoy myself this much," Beckham said.

Ancelotti signaled his intentions on Monday when he included Beckham in his 25-man squad for the UEFA Cup, despite him currently only being available for two games against Werder Bremen.

Negotiations, still yet to formally begin though a fee of £4.5m has been quoted as the price Milan were prepared to pay for a player who can leave for free in November, are expected to be heavily focused on the issue of Beckham's image rights, which are likely to prove a sticking point.

"We will have to see what happens between the two clubs, Galaxy and Milan. I have faith (in them) and therefore I've made my decision. I have a lot of respect for Galaxy, but I want to stay at Milan and I hope the two clubs can come to an agreement," Beckham said.