David Beckham and AC Milan represent a marriage of convenience. The former England captain wants to keep fit, the Italian club wanted a marquee signing, albeit on a short-term fix. Yet the divorce that is expected to happen on March 9, when Beckham is due to return to the United States to rejoin the Los Angeles Galaxy, may not take place, after all.

As the capital of Italian chic collectively swooned at the arrival of Beckham and his wife, Victoria, on Saturday, Adriano Galliani, the Milan vice-president, admitted that there was a glimmer of hope that the union could be extended. His club, he said, have designs on perhaps keeping the fashion-conscious Beckhams for longer.

“We are here at the San Siro to present David Beckham, who, after a long courting, which started in the spring of 2007, has arrived to our club,” Galliano said. “I give a warm welcome to David, who arrives on loan from LA Galaxy, who I thank.

“He will be on loan until June 2009 but there is a gentlemen’s agreement to release him on March 9. It is a commitment that will be respected . . . but Milan is open to the possibility of David wanting to return [to the Galaxy] or stay in Milan.”

Galliano’s teasing aside was described as “big news” in the Italian press. “I already know that it will be difficult to go,” Beckham was quoted as saying in Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian sports paper. “I don’t want to think about that now. I want to work calmly.

“What happens if I fall in love with the team and the city? I am already in love, just like I was with Real Madrid. I already feel that I’m falling in love, even though I belong to Galaxy.”

Shopping is the last thing on Beckham’s mind. “Fashion had nothing to do with my choice in coming to Milan,” he said. “The red-and-black shirt [of AC Milan] is the reason and the history behind the club. I have played with some great players and to now have the chance to play here is a dream.” Another of Beckham’s dreams is to regain his place in the England squad of Fabio Capello and equal the record of caps for an outfield player, the 108 of Bobby Moore. He stands on 107.

With Major League Soccer in its close-season break, he has to retain his fitness — and play for Milan — for Capello to consider him. “What’s great about Capello as a manager is that wherever you are playing in the world, if you’re fit and playing well, he’ll give you a chance,” Beckham said. “To be brought back into the England squad . . . everyone knows how much that means to me. Whether it’s for five, ten or 90 minutes, I’ll always be there for my country.”

Beckham, 33, sought advice from Capello before deciding to join Milan. However, the Italian is not interested in Beckham’s aim to emulate or overtake Moore. “Beckham’s record is not important for me,” Capello said. “I decide the squad to win a game, not for the record. He is a serious player and very important and if he plays for Milan, it is possible he will be in my squad.”

Beckham will join Milan at their mid-season training camp in Dubai a week today and his first match could be against Roma on January 11, although Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, was asked how he could fit him into the team after they crushed Udinese 5-1 before the watching Beckham at the San Siro yesterday.

“Certainly there is a place for him because he is a great player,” Ancelotti said. “He is very well prepared tactically and he can give a contribution to this team. He is in good condition and if he is one of the 11 names on the team sheet, then it is because he deserves to be there.

“We are all delighted to have him here. We are happy because we have got a great professional.”