AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident of signing David Beckham on a permanent basis at the end of the year.

Beckham was meant to return to the Los Angeles Galaxy last month, but the Rossoneri struck a deal with the MLS side to extend the 33-year-old's short-term loan deal at the San Siro until the end of the Serie A campaign.

The unique 'timeshare' agreement will then see Beckham return to America for the rest of the MLS season at which point another stint at the Serie A giants has been mooted.

Tottenham are also interested in the England midfielder but Ancelotti believes he will be back at the San Siro next January.

"Beckham will return to the United States and will stay there until the end of his contract, which expires in November," the Milan boss told Il Messagero.

"Then Milan will buy him in the winter transfer market.

"David has proved himself to be an exemplary professional and I honestly didn't expect him to play at such a high level."

Reports continue to emerge Ancelotti himself will not be at the San Siro next season and, despite repeated denials, the Milan boss continues to be linked to Chelsea and Real Madrid.

However, Ancelotti has once again reiterated his desire to remain at the Rossoneri helm.

"I will stay on for next season at least and we are already working towards strengthening the squad," added Ancelotti. "I'm not going to Chelsea.

"I am used to all the reports and they will probably continue, but it's not a problem."

Next season will be Ancelotti's ninth in charge of Milan and will see him draw level with Nereo Rocco as the Rossoneri's longest-serving manager.

And, while the 49-year-old is not planning on moving any time soon he admits it would be a dream to coach another one of his former clubs Roma - where he spent eight years as a player.

"It is a dream that sooner or later I will realise," continued Ancelotti, who also captained the capital club for several years. "To coach the Giallorossi is a desire that I have never hidden.

"Roma has remained in my heart; for the people, the history that you breathe in the city, the food."