AC Milan must cough up big for LA Galaxy's Beckham

AC Milan will have to spend US$22 million to sign permanently LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham.

The People says reports have suggested that the England star could make the switch from LA Galaxy to the San Siro for as little as US$8m.

But such is the complex nature of his tie-in to the Major League Soccer side that it will instead cost the Italians almost three times that figure.

Beckham's move to LA was mostly funded by Anschultz Entertainment Group, who own the Galaxy, and in part by the MLS.

And both would have to agree to let the England star quit the Home Depot Center if he is to make the move to Milan.

On top of that, the Galaxy's main sponsor, Herbalife, would also have plenty to say on the matter.

Gate revenues are also seriously hitwhen the Englishman does not feature and the 27,000 sell-outs which are par for the course whenever he appears would be replaced with more modest attendances.

With Beckham, the Galaxy are reckoned to be worth US$100m, with revenue at US$36m ... that is more than double any other MLS team.

The second wealthiest club in the league is Toronto FC at US$44m. Without Beckham, the Galaxy's value would instantly plummet to around US$55m, and AEG would need to recoup a significant amount of that shortfall if they were to let him go.