Los Angeles - David Beckham will return to the Los Angeles Galaxy next month after efforts to turn a loan at AC Milan into a transfer to the Italian giants fell through.

Galaxy general manager and coach Bruce Arena said on Friday that Milan had not submitted an improved offer for the England midfielder Beckham by a deadline on the day.

"Today's deadline imposed by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber regarding a resolution of David Beckham's potential transfer to AC Milan has passed and we did not receive an acceptable offer for the player," said Arena.

"As a result, David remains an LA Galaxy player and we look forward to having him back with the club starting March 9."

Beckham joined the Galaxy in 2007 on a multi-million dollar five- year contract.

He went to Milan in January to keep fit and play there during the MLS off-season, with the ultimate goal to make England's squad for the
2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Beckham played beyond all expectations at the six-time European champions and expressed his desire to stay. Milan also aimed for a full transfer but a first bid was rejected by the Galaxy.

British news reports on Friday said that Milan were ready to raise the offer to around 15 million dollars, but Tim Leiweke, the CEO of the Galaxy's main investor AEG, was quoted as saying that Milan did not submit a new offer Friday.

Beckham will stay at Milan for another three weeks - with the big Milan derby against league leaders Inter set for Sunday - and resume training in LA on March 9.

The Galaxy open the new MLS season on March 22 against DC United, hoping to improve from their last-place finish in 2008. (dpa)