CARSON, Calif. -- Los Angeles Galaxy coaches and players reacted to the news that David Beckham may not be returning from AC Milan until mid-July with a sense of resignation on Tuesday.
No agreement has been finalized, but the organization is ready to move on without their 33-year-old midfielder. At least until the summer.
"I think the best thing we can do is prepare as we have been," veteran Chris Klein said. "Go with the guys we have right now. That's kind of how we've looked at it the whole preaseson. We'll continue to do that and prepare for the regular season the best we can."
The ongoing drama involving Beckham, the central figure in a much-publicized tug of war between the Galaxy and AC Milan over a loan agreement due to expire next week, has not been a daily concern, according to head coach/general manager Bruce Arena. He said he addressed Beckham's loan and a similar deal involving Landon Donovan and Bayern Munich about three or four weeks ago.
"And that's the only discussion we've had in 40 days being together," Arena said.
It was reported that Beckham will finish the Serie A season with the Italian club and not return to the Galaxy until mid-July. Milan officials have made no secret of their desire to keep the English standout on a permament basis but reportedly balked at the Galaxy's asking price, believed to be at least $10 million. Milan was said to have been willing to pay $3 million.
Arena continued to insist any agreement between the parties would be in the best interests of the Galaxy.
"The bottom line is we need to do what's right for this organization," he said. "Obviously over the months there have been a lot of issues that have clouded this process and everything else. We want to make a decision that's in our best interests and also the player's. We're not so far out there that the concerns of the players are not important either.
"It would be great if we could accomplish both."
Arena also said the give-and-take between the Galaxy and AC Milan, one of the biggest clubs in the world, has not been a distraction -- to the players anyway.
"More to me than the team," he said. "They're going on with the business of preseason, trying to earn positions on the team and getting better. Players on loan have nothing to do with what they're doing. They haven't asked me one question.
"Where did we have Landon Donovan going 60 days ago? We had him gone as well. You simply can't worry about it."
Veteran defender Tony Sanneh said he has had his own concerns -- he is making a comeback at age 37 -- but he did admit there have been a few lockerroom discussions about their overseas teammates. Beckham in particular.
"Obviously from a professional standpoint you always want to see a player be happy and do what he wants," Sanneh said. "And as part of this league and this organization, I think he helps us marketing-wise. Who wouldn't him on your team?
"Obviously we'd like to have him here from day one, but in this league there's a playoff system, so ultimately you'd rather have him at the end than at the beginning."
Midfielder Dema Kovalenko said Galaxy players respect Beckham's wishes to continue playing at the highest level, even if that leaves Los Angeles short of one of the world's finest performers.
"At the end of the day, the guy has to do what's best for him and what makes sense for him," Kovalenko said. "Right now we have to understand that. To be honest, it would be nice to have him here because he's a great player, but all we can do is get ready for the season."
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