AC MILAN claim David Beckham will definitely return the San Siro on loan in January.

The LA Galaxy star wants to continue playing during the Major League Soccer close season in a bid to remain part of Fabio Capello's England plans for the 2010 World Cup.

And having enjoyed a spell in Milan last term, Beckham looks set to make the switch once again.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said: "Someone will arrive in January, a great boost for our midfield.

"He's an English player, his first name is David, you can try to guess what his surname is.

David Beckham has accepted undisclosed libel damages from Express Group Newspapers over reports that he "made a play" for a model.

In April, the Daily Star claimed that the 34-year-old footballer had a dinner date with Mariann Fogarasy after an AC Milan match in Hungary, PA reports.

Beckham did not appear at London's High Court, where his lawyer Gerrard Tyrrell said that the newspaper had unequivocally retracted the allegations.

Soccer star DAVID BECKHAM has blasted reports linking him to a Hungarian model, and proclaimed his undying love for his wife VICTORIA.

The superstar couple has been subjected to a barrage of rumours surrounding the state of their marriage as their ten-year wedding anniversary approaches in July.

One report alleged the sports ace had enjoyed a candlelit dinner with model Mariann Fogarasy after he was photographed with her following a game in Budapest.

But Beckham is adamant he hasn't been with any other women - because he is still besotted with his former Spice Girl wife.

David Beckham could discover on Friday whether he is going to join AC Milan on a permanent basis.

Beckham, 33, is on loan from LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has set a Friday deadline for the two clubs to thrash out a deal.

Milan had a £5m bid rejected by Galaxy last week for Beckham, who is keen to stay in Italy, but reports suggest they are set to up their bid to about £10m.

Coach Carlos Ancelotti says they should "make sacrifices to keep Beckham".

Ancelotti added: "We must keep him because he is an important player for the team."

If David Beckham does eventually make the move from Los Angeles to Milan -- whether it's this spring or next fall -- the turning point might have come in Bologna on Sunday.

Making his third consecutive start for AC Milan and playing the full 90 minutes, Beckham had his best outing yet for the seven-time European champion and also scored his first goal.

It wasn't a tame goal, either. No tap-in this, or lucky rebound. It was a cracker.

Alexi Lalas, the Galaxy's president and general manager who left the club in August, has said his successor Bruce Arena would 'have his work cut out' dealing with the Beckham factor because the England international is more than just a footballer.

Lalas, who sported a famous goaty beard during his days as an international with the United States, believes the priority for Arena, who is also the Galaxy coach, should be to find a leader on the field.

He said: 'I think Arena's first order of business is to find some leadership, to fill a void that exists.

The singer bought the boots at a charity auction held at a garden party at the footballer's Hertfordshire residence just before the 2002 World Cup.

He paid £29,000 pounds for the red and white Adidas boots embroidered with "No.7, Beckham" and the name of the midfielder's first son Brooklyn on the tongue.

They are autographed: "To Mick, Best Wishes, David Beckham 7".

Hucknall is a keen collector of football memorabelia but is now scaling back his vast collection.

The Beckham boots are expected to sell for between £3,000 and £5,000 when they go under the hammer at auction.

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini has defended David Beckham's motivations for wanting to join the Rossoneri in the winter transfer window.

The England midfielder is negotiating a short loan move to the Italian giants from the Los Angeles Galaxy during the MLS off-season.

Beckham claims his main reason for wanting to play a few months in Serie A next year is to maintain his fitness and not just to earn more England call-ups.

"Beckham is coming here to train, to remain in good form and to still be an important part of his national team," Maldini said.

Current and former England internationals David Beckham and John Barnes have been appointed vice-presidents for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

The pair will support the newly-formed executive board along with further vice-presidents soon to be announced and their appointments reflect an initial wave of ambassadorial roles as England 2018 Ltd continues to prepare its bid to stage the tournament in 10 years' time.

"I'm proud to be part of the FA's 2018 World Cup bid and will do everything I can to help bring the tournament to England," Beckham told thefa.com.

Chelsea and England midfielder believes former national captain David Beckham still has a tremendous squad role to play, irregardless of whether he features on the pitch or not.

Frank Lampard is of the impression that this infectious spirit is one of the reasons why Beckham still has a key role to play within the England camp.

Lampard told Sky Sports: "For David Beckham to equal Bobby Charlton's number of caps is fantastic. He has been tremendous for the country over so many years."