AC Milan keeps Beckham for £10.5million

AC Milan will make a £10.5million bid for David Beckham today - the Italian club was warned by the MLS to settle the England star’s future by the end of this week.

Milan have already had an offer of around £5m rejected by LA Galaxy. But with Becks, 33, quickly establishing himself as an integral part of the team, Milan are willing to up their bid. They face a crucial derby match against Jose Mourinho’s Inter this weekend and want Beckham’s future resolved beforehand.

The player himself has made no secret of his desire to stay and praised the club for improving his fitness and game.

He said: “Milan has done me the world of good. I am much fitter than a few months ago.

“In a month and a half my fitness has grown by 100 per cent. I want to stay and the negotiations are ongoing so I’m hoping for a quick outcome.”

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Friedel gets glowing praise from O'Neill

Martin O'Neil has praised the start Brad Friedel has made to his Aston Villa career and thinks that competition from Villa's number two Brad Guzan will help his American compatriot. Earlier this month Friedel made a record 167th successive Premier League start in the goalless draw against Fulham. And after joining Villa from Blackburn in the summer, has pleased the manger with his performances.

"Brad has been a terrific goalkeeper for a number of years," he said. "His performances have been fantastic for many years and that was a significant reason for signing him.

"There have been one or two games for us where he felt he could have done better. He hasn't been completely happy with a few of the goals he has conceded and it's great he is looking at these sort of things.

"He is a professional still thinking greatly about his game. He has come to Villa and he really wants to prove himself here."

O'Neil also commented on competition from fellow American keeper Brad Guzan.

He said: "It's fantastic to have Guzan pushing him too, I think he has real competition."

Park urges United to up the tempo against Spurs

Ji-Sung Park is warning his Manchester United team-mates they will have to step up a gear to beat Tottenham on Saturday after being held to a 2-2 draw by Aalborg in the Champions League. Only a second-half equaliser from Wayne Rooney saved United from defeat at Old Trafford and they will need to regroup for Saturday's trip to White Hart Lane.Park said: "We were pleased to be top of our group and go into the draw for the last 16. We're happy with that.But we know we have to play better on Saturday to beat Tottenham.

"Tottenham is a very important game because after that we go to Japan for the World Club Cup. So we have to win this game before we go, we need three points."

United have a string of injury problems ahead of the trip to London after Rio Ferdinand hurt his back against Aalborg and is rated doubtful.

Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick are also battling to recover from Achilles and thigh problems while Rooney and Patrice Evra are suspended.

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Bruce quashes latest round of Zaki rumours

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has reiterated his desire to keep Amr Zaki at the club until at least the end of the season. The Egypt international has made a stunning start to his career in the Premier League and has attracted a significant amount of interest. However, his goalscoring touch has deserted him in recent weeks and was forced to settle for a place on the bench against Arsenal last weekend and his manager has told him he must work to get his place back in the starting line-up.

"It does become a bit repetitive and boring," said Bruce responding to the speculation that Chelsea could be interested in the player.

"It is Chelsea this week, Real Madrid last week, Liverpool the week before, Man City before that. I think the whole thing needs to be addressed really.

"He is ours for the rest of the season.

"I know he has done well, but he's missed the last month (with injury) and he needs to make sure he starts playing and gets in our team - because that won't be easy for him either.

"All of this nonsense around him, I do believe gets to him a little bit. But I can't stop this constant speculation about Zaki."

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