Adriano Galliani, the AC Milan vice-president, remains hopeful that David Beckham will extend his stay with the Italian club once he has settled at the San Siro. The England midfielder will officially join on a short-term loan deal from the Los Angeles Galaxy next month.

"I don't know how long his adventure [with AC Milan] will last," Galliani said. "For the time being it will be two-and-a-half to three months. We hope he will fall in love and that sentiments prevail, but he has so many advertising contracts.

"At this time, it looks unlikely he will stay longer because I have seen his advertising contracts and they are scary."

Beckham, who is under contract with the LA Galaxy until 2012, is set to return to the United States in March next year for the start of the Major League Soccer season.

"He will arrive on December 20," Galliani said. "He will undergo a medical and then hold a press conference before attending Milan v Udinese. Then he will go on holiday for a week before starting his new adventure with us in Dubai."