TRANSFER NEWS:HARRY REDKNAPP could withdraw his interest in David Beckham after expressing concern at the lack of time the midfielder may spend at Tottenham Hotspur if he is allowed to join on loan by LA Galaxy.

“If it is a very short-term thing it can be a problem,” the Spurs manager said. “If we are only talking eight or nine games by the time we get him ready, it is a difficult one. I can’t be leaving people out and then after a few games David goes back and I have to mess with the team again. But he would be great to have around. He’d be a great role model for the young players.”

Beckham could be at Spurs for a maximum of 14 matches given he would have to return before the start of the MLS season on 15 March.

“It’s in the hands of the chairman, but we can’t go on (waiting) too long because it could end up being a waste of time,” added Redknapp. Blackburn and West Ham have also declared an interest in the player.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who worked with Beckham at AC Milan, will not be among those looking to sign him up.

“When he came to Milan he was not young. He came from the American league and it is not a league with fantastic football, but he gave fantastic support,” the Italian said.

A host of clubs are nonetheless queuing up to offer Beckham a route back to the Premier League, but it remains to be seen whether Galaxy will allow their star man to go out on loan. Former US international Alexi Lalas was the Galaxy’s general manager when Beckham moved there, and feels another switch back to Europe may not be well received.

“American soccer fans say David Beckham has given a lot, but he’s also taken a tremendous amount out of Major League Soccer,” Lalas told BBC Radio Five Live.

“The reason David Beckham went over to Milan was to prepare, in theory for the (2010) World Cup. I think that was commendable and understandable to a certain extent, but now it is happening once again.”

Blackburn have also made an offer for AC Milan forward Ronaldinho as well as chasing Beckham.

“Yes, we have made an offer to Ronaldinho but it is still in the early stage,” Venkateshwara Rao, joint managing director of Indian poultry giant Venky’s, the club’s new owners, said. “Similarly, we have made an effort to get Beckham on loan but again, nothing has come out of it so far.”

Rovers manager Steve Kean, who Rao said could be offered a longer deal after being put in charge until the end of the season, said he would welcome the signing of Ronaldinho.

“I know there has been contact made by the owners to representatives of Ronaldinho but I don’t know how far down the line it is and whether it will actually happen,” said Kean.

“If any Premier League manager was asked if they wanted to sign someone who has been World Player of the Year twice they would be interested. Everyone should look at it as a positive, it has been a long time since we have been able to do that.”

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi said the club was sorry to see the 30-year-old Brazilian go.

“I’m sorry he went away, he is the greatest player in the world in terms of speed of thought and execution. But it was his choice to return to Brazil,” he said.

Ronaldinho and his brother-agent are now talking to Brazilian clubs including Gremio, Flamengo and Corinthians about a January move.

Guardian Service