Porstmouth boss Harry Redknapp is keen to bring David Beckham to Pompey if a move to AC Milan breaks down.

The Italian giants revealed the former England captain is set to join them in January for up to three months, during the Los Angeles Galaxy's close season.

With the MLS finishing on Sunday for those sides not through to the end-of-season play-offs - which include the Galaxy - Beckham appears to have opted for the San Siro in an attempt to keep his England career from stalling.

Beckham should retain his place in the England squad for the planned friendly against Spain in February as a result of the move - head coach Capello had warned he would be left out if he was not playing club football.

The 33-year-old's agent, Simon Oliveira, said: "Nothing is confirmed yet, but the intention is to go to AC Milan on loan for January and February.

"He would be going there with the view to keeping fit and being available for selection for England.

"The idea is he then goes back to the Galaxy to join up with their pre-season in March. He will not be joining AC Milan permanently. He had a five-year contract with the Galaxy and has three years left and every intention of fulfilling that."

With the deal yet to be completed, Portsmouth boss Redknapp, whose side face Milan in the UEFA Cup next month, has backed the Italian club's decision to move for the veteran - and revealed he had considered an approach himself.

He said: "If he doesn't go to Milan maybe I'll try to sign him myself. He would be a great loan for anybody.

"I haven't made an enquiry but it has crossed my mind. Maybe I'll try tomorrow if it doesn't happen with Milan. David is still a great player, and you can't tell me he wouldn't be a great benefit to our Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe with his crossing.

"The fact is he is still a top player and wants to play. And I'm sure we wouldn't be the only ones interested if he didn't go to Milan. They would be queueing up."

Milan could rake in a small fortune by selling extra seats and merchandise on the back of their move for the iconic midfielder, but Beckham's motivation will be professional rather than financial.

Club vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "We are speaking with his agent but we believe he will arrive for some months on a free loan.

"We shall register him for some months and then he will leave. Beckham has chosen Milan. Our squad is ultra-competitive and it will remain this way, but Beckham is something different and intriguing."

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti added: "For me it will be a pleasure, Beckham is a serious athlete, a great professional.

"If he is available for four months with us, we will be very happy."