Sven's Beckham swoop

Posted Sunday, July 31, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

Sven's Beckham swoop
Above: Sven Goran Eriksson is targeting David Beckham to join Leicester City

David B is in line to make a sensational move to team up with his former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson at Leicester City, the Daily Star Sunday can reveal.

Beckham will be invited to swap LA Galaxy for Leicester when the MLS season comes to a close after Foxes boss Eriksson was given the green light to make the cheeky bid.

He has tried before to take the England superstar on loan but this time he has the financial clout to boost City’s chances of gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Leicester’s billionaire Thai backers King Power are determined to help Eriksson guide the Championship outfit – the bookies’ joint promotion favourites – to the top flight.

And they have sanctioned a swoop for Beckham, 36, in the January transfer window.

City vice-chairman Top Raksriaksorn, whose super-rich family took over the club less than a year ago, wants Beckham to bring his experience on the pitch but also to sprinkle a little stardust at the newly-named King Power Stadium.

The club are growing in reputation in the Far East and Raksriaksorn is prepared to fund Beckham’s £200,000-a-week wages for six weeks in the new year to help elevate their status and to advance their title quest.

A businessman close to King Power in Bangkok, Thailand said: “This time the Raksriaksorn family are going all out to get Sven to bring Beckham to Leicester. Even they have been overwhelmed at how big Leicester have become here in Asia.

“They are keen to maintain the momentum and, of course, grow the club.

“Sven is in touch with Beckham, the funding is in place and they hope a deal can be done that will suit both parties. It will be good for everyone.”

Raksriaksorn is fully aware that Eriksson has a superb relationship with Beckham, who he managed at international level during a five-year stint as Three Lions boss.

In the past, Beckham has trained with both Arsenal and Spurs and played for AC Milan during the MLS close-season.

He will again be keen to maintain his fitness before the US season kicks off again in March and a move to the Championship could give him a few weeks to get himself into shape before the American season begins.

Raksriaksorn believes Eriksson has the persuasive powers to convince the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star that a move on loan to the Championship would be mutually beneficial.

He said: “We want to get into the Premier League simply because I would love to see the team get promoted, because we are a big team.

“We have a clear vision that we are trying to take the club to the Premier League.”

Beckham, 36, is still keen to add to his 115 England caps and knows he can showcase his ability back in England under the watchful eye of Fabio Capello.

Leicester, meanwhile, have been out of the top flight since 2004. They spent one season in League One from 2008-09 but have been stuck in the Championship other than that.