London, Feb. 15 : Italian football club A C Milan is likely to offer England mid-fielder David Beckham an 18-month contract to stay with the club after his loan period is over.

The Italians are drawing up a contract that will take the former England captain through to the eve of the World Cup in South Africa.

According to News of The World, A C Milan is insisting on striking a deal with the American football club L A Galaxy, which has demanded that Beckham be returned to it on March 9.

Galaxy bosses issued a statement killing off any permanent move for England's on-loan superstar after Milan failed to increase their initial five million pound offer in time to beat Friday night's Major League Soccer (MLS) deadline.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted: "We have still got 20 days to close the deal. At the moment Beckham is indispensable for Milan. Galaxy has forced the situation, but there is time before March 9."

Beckham, 33, who equalled Bobby Moore's record of 108 caps against Spain on Wednesday, desperately wants to stay at Milan to help his bid to play in next year's World Cup finals.

Milan general manager Adriano Galliani vowed: "The negotiations for Beckham are continuing. Let's see what happens in a month."

And Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira added: "We will be addressing this early next week."

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber had warned the Italian club they had to agree a deal by Friday if they wanted to sign Beckham permanently. And after that deadline passed, Galaxy boss Tim Leiweke insisted: "David will be back here on March 9 and we don't want to entertain any more conversations now. (ANI)