CARSON, Calif. -- Count Los Angeles Galaxy head coach/general manager Bruce Arena among those who would be pleased to see the David Beckham transfer saga come to a close this week.
On Wednesday, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said he has sent a letter to AEG, investor-operator of the Galaxy, and told club officials any transfer of Beckham to AC Milan must be completed by Friday.
Garber wrote to AEG chief executive Tim Leiweke and told him the league would support such a move, but only if it is completed by Friday.
"We think it's best to come to a conclusion," Arena said Wednesday after practice. "Either David is going to stay or he is going to remain at AC Milan. In order for our team to move forward, for the league to move forward, it's best that we get a decision made as soon as possible.
"I think AC Milan understands where we're coming from and we understand the situation they are in and hopefully we can work something out over the next couple of days."
Arena wouldn't predict whether or not the 33-year-old Beckham will return to the Galaxy -- he scored two goals and had two assists in his first five games with Milan -- but he did say the club would move on should the English standout stay in Italy.
"Certainly you lose a great player," Arena said. "He brings a lot to the team, both on and off the field. However, this is a team sport, and it's not like basketball where one player can make such a difference on the team.
"There's 11 players and we have a bunch of good players. With David, without David, we're optimistic that we are going to have a good team this year."
Garber, speaking to reporters at a press conference surrounding U.S. Soccer's bid to host either 2018 or 2022 World Cup, said MLS is interested in cooperating with Beckham's desire to stay with AC Milan -- but only if any agreement meets the league's designated timetable.
"If David believes that he wants to continue his career in Milan and Milan wants to purchase him, we're interested in accommodating that request," Garber said. "But right now it just continues to go around in circles and it needs to come to a conclusion by Friday.
"There's no reason why this should drag on. They either want to do it or they don't want to do it."
Beckham began training with the Serie A powerhouse on Dec. 29 as part a loan agreement that expires March 9, two weeks before the MLS regular season starts, and to help him stay in shape for a possible call-up to the English national team.
Milan officials, led by general manager Adriano Galliani, and their Galaxy counterparts reportedly entered into discussions late last week about making Beckham's move permanent, but Leiweke said the Italian club's initial offer was too low and likened the drama to a "circus" and a "zoo" to the Los Angeles Times.
"We are prepared to be supportive of transferring David to AC Milan for a transfer fee that acknowledges the value of his services to the Galaxy and the league," Garber wrote. "However, if the issue is not resolved by the end of the week, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for us to go forward with the transfer."
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