The David Beckham-to-AC Milan saga has taken another twist as Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that claims made by Milan vice president Adriano Galliani on Thursday that a deal was close to being made were "nonsense."
"Two weeks ago Milan made a ridiculous offer that took me just a few seconds to reject," Leiweke told the Italian newspaper. "With this figure Galaxy wouldn't even be able to cover the loss in revenue from shirt sales. Since then I haven't heard a thing and no meeting has been set up."
There were claims in the Italian press during the week that a Milan delegation were set to travel to the United States to hammer out a deal to sell Beckham to AC Milan, which currently have the England international on a loan deal until March 9.
"In the past few hours we have taken steps forward," Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday. "I am optimistic, not pessimistic. Can the deal be completed next week? We shall see."
That's not the case, according to Leiweke.
"I've decided to speak out because I've read too many inaccuracies," Leiweke told Gazzetta dello Sport. "After that ridiculous offer we've had no more contact from Milan."
Beckham has stated publicly his desire to remain with the Serie A giants and Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber set a deadline of Feb. 13 for a deal to be made. But the two sides couldn't come to an agreement.
"If Milan are so determined to buy him, why are they dragging this out for so long?" Leiweke told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If they think they'll get him on the cheap that way, they're wrong."
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