DAVID BECKHAM is set to begin negotiations with Ligue 2 side AS Monaco following his final game Saturday in the Major League Soccer Cup final, according to Ben Smith of the BBC. The former England captain has also "attracted interest" from clubs in Russia and Brazil. Beckham plans to make a final decision on his future by the turn of the year. Billionaire Russian businessman DMITRY RYBOLOVLEV bought a majority stake in the club in December with "ambitions to return them to the level they were once at." Monaco -- under the guidance of former Chelsea Manager CLAUDIO RANIERI -- is currently top of the French second division after 15 matches this season (BBC, 11/29).
OPTIONS ON THE TABLE: In London, Simon Rice reported Beckham heading to Ligue 1 Paris St. Germain "has been mooted," while a move to EPL Queens Park Rangers "has been suggested." Beckham trained under QPR Manager HARRY REDKNAPP last season. Beckham said, "I'm lucky because at 37 years old, I've been offered some exciting options." Discussing a return to the Premier League, Beckham said that it was "unlikely, but refused to rule it out." Beckham: "I've always said I think I would struggle to come back and play in England because I've played for the biggest club in the world, the biggest club in England, Manchester United, and I couldn't see myself playing for any other Premiership team. But you never know" (INDEPENDENT, 11/29).
