Beckham to train with Spurs
Becks passes medical as advisers reject claims his move is a PR stunt to aid Olympic Stadium switch
FORMER ENGLAND captain David Beckham will train with Tottenham’s first-team squad for the first time today after completing a series of medical tests at the club’s training ground.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder will begin a four-week training stint with the north Londoners as he looks to maintain his fitness during the Major League Soccer off season.
Despite yesterday’s outing in official club training gear, it appears unlikely that the 35-year-old will be able to force through a move that will allow him to take an active part in Tottenham’s Premier League campaign.
Spurs coach Tim Sherwood admitted it would be a blow were Beckham restricted to a non playing role during his time in north London, but that his influence on Harry Redknapp’s squad in training would still make his presence at the club worthwhile.
“He’s a great ambassador for the country. Good luck to him,” Sherwood said. “He’s welcome to come and train with the club. If he eventually starts to play for us then that would be good. It’s a complex situation.”
It is understood that Spurs are unwilling to pay the percentage of Beckham’s wages the Galaxy are demanding but both parties still could come to an agreement for the player who last appeared in the English top flight in 2003.
Beckham’s advisers, meanwhile, have rejected West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady’s claim that Spurs were only trying to sign Beckham as a PR stunt to help the them beat the Hammers in their bid to move to the London Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.
Brady wrote: “Call me cynical but I smell a rat in the ‘Beckham for Spurs’ reports. They may feel he could help their rival bid to ours for the Olympic Stadium.
A Beckham spokesperson denied those claims today, saying: “We would never get involved in anything like that.”