David Beckham is very likely to rejoin AC Milan on loan in January, the Serie A club's chief executive Adriano Galliani said today.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder moved to Italy during the Major League Soccer off-season last January, initially on a three-month loan but impressed so much his stay was extended until the end of the Serie A campaign.

Beckham knows he must join a top European side again this winter or he won't be considered by Fabio Capello for England's 2010 World Cup squad.

"It's very probable that Beckham will come to Milan on loan until 30 June but I don't give anything as fact until there's a signature," said Galliani.

Milan's optimism is a timely boost for Beckham, who was reportedly unhappy he didn't even make the bench for Saturday's defeat in Ukraine despite making the long journey from America. The 34-year-old missed out as Capello started with Aaron Lennon on the right wing.

Galaxy confirmed last week they would be prepared to loan Beckham to a European club again. But Tim Leiweke, the chief executive of AEG, which owns the MLS side, added: "David will finish his career with us."