The winter transfer window opens today in Europe, and on January 7 here, and in the next few weeks some club will sign a certain former England captain who fancies one more go-round in one more league, a sort of valedictory for a remarkable career.
Of late, we have heard where David Beckham will not go. Officials in Australia said they cannot imagine the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy star playing there. Yesterday, the South China Morning Post quoted officials at Shenhua, the rich Shanghai club, saying a Beckham signing there was unlikely. Seemingly within moments of the conclusion of Beckham's career with the Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain issued an emphatic denial that they had any interest in signing the 37-year-old midfielder.
Beckham, however, will play. Somewhere. And despite denials two weeks ago by Al Jazira's media communications department, his joining the Abu Dhabi club makes at least as much sense as any destination in Europe or Africa or the Americas.
To reiterate: it would broaden "brand Beckham" by taking him to the Middle East and to the Muslim world for the first time. He could be well-compensated and live in some luxury. He already has been in Abu Dhabi in the past month and spent an evening with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, chairman of the club.
And Jazira need help. Fernandinho, the Brazilian forward, has no goals in 18 matches and has lost his place to Ali Mabkhout. Jazira need a midfielder who can provide Beckham-style service. He will land somewhere. Why not here?
