Soccer: Beckham poised to sign with French side

David Beckham is poised to write the final chapter of his playing career in France after being offered an "eye-wateringly" huge deal.

The former England captain, 36, had been close to signing a one-year extension to his 128 million pounds, five-year deal with Los Angeles Galaxy.

But last night a close friend revealed Paris Saint-Germain, one of the richest football teams in the world, had approached him with a deal that "we just cannot ignore".

Paris Saint-Germain was bought in May by the Qatar Investment Authority, which is worth 38 billion pounds.

If the deal goes through, Beckham would have to commute between Paris and Los Angeles, as his wife Victoria would remain in California. The couple's sons, Brooklyn, 12, Romeo, ten, and Cruz, six, are settled in LA. Their daughter Harper was born there three months ago.

The source said: "It was looking quite straightforward, David would sign a one-year deal with LA Galaxy and make his official farewell at the London 2012 Olympics. But PSG have come in with this amazing offer and it's really changed things. And while David does not love the prospect of leaving Victoria and the children in Los Angeles, this is a huge, huge deal.

"Let's face it, with Victoria's passion for fashion I don't think she would mind travelling to Paris too much.

"There's also the belief playing back in Europe would be a good way to end David's career. PSG are now one of the richest clubs in the world and to win the French league, having won the Premier League and the Spanish league would be a great way to round off David's career."

The French club are reported to have tried to tempt the midfielder with a deal to promote Al Jazeera Sports, which will broadcast Ligue 1 action from 2012 onwards.

PSG have also signed up Brazilian Leonardo as sporting director. Beckham worked alongside him during loan stints at AC Milan in 2009 and 2010.

Yesterday LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena admitted he thought he only had a 50-50 chance of keeping Beckham.

- DAILY MAIL