Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- David Beckham will rejoin the Los Angeles Galaxy next month after AC Milan declined to make a higher bid before a deadline passed for reaching an agreement to acquire the English midfielder.

Beckham told the Galaxy he wanted to stay with the Italian club, which made an initial offer that was rejected by the Major League Soccer team. Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber set yesterday’s deadline to complete a potential transfer.

“We did not receive an acceptable offer,” Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena said last night in a statement. “As a result, David remains an LA Galaxy player and we look forward to having him back with the club starting March 9.”

Beckham is due at the team’s training camp March 9 and the MLS season starts 13 days later.

The 33-year-old midfielder, soccer’s highest-paid player, joined AC Milan on a three-month loan to stay in shape during the U.S. soccer off-season and boost his chances of retaining a place on England’s squad for next year’s World Cup. He’s scored two goals in five appearances for the club known as the Rossoneri, which plays a local derby against Serie A league leaders Inter Milan tomorrow.

Beckham, who’s known for his bending free kicks and crosses, said this month that he wanted to extend his stay in Italy. Milan said it also wanted to keep Beckham after he quickly established himself at the club.

Beckham joined the Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007 on a $5.5 million-a-year contract that endorsements and profit- sharing could boost to as much as $250 million if he stayed the full five years, according to the U.S. club.

England Spot

That pushed the England squad veteran past Milan teammate Ronaldinho to regain the title of soccer’s highest-earning player following his switch to the U.S., France Football magazine reported in April.

Beckham made his competitive debut for the 17-time Italian champion in a 2-2 Serie A draw at Roma on Jan. 11, and has helped it to three wins and two draws in the league.

The ex-Manchester United player’s involvement with Milan helped him retain his spot in the England squad for a 2-0 exhibition loss to Spain on Feb. 11. He came on at halftime for his 108th England game, tying Bobby Moore as the players with the second-most appearances for the national squad. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton played 125 times.

England manager Fabio Capello has played Beckham as a substitute in all four World Cup qualification matches so far. England, which tops Group Six with a maximum 12 points, resumes its bid to qualify in April with a match against Ukraine.

To contact the reporter on this story: James Cone in London at jcone@bloomberg.net; Curtis Eichelberger in Washington at ceichelberge@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: February 14, 2009 00:01 EST