Former England captain David Beckham has reportedly extended an invitation to defender Gerard Pique to join the former’s MLS Miami franchise after he decides to call time on his Barcelona career. The former Manchester United star has spoken of his desire to make Pique one of his designated marquee signings for his franchise.
Beckham leads the ownership group known as Miami Beckham United which includes his business partner Simon Fuller, is currently waiting for confirmation that his franchise will be given the green light to participate in the 2018 season of the MLS.
The Miami team is part of a MLS expansion plan that will increase the number of teams from 20 to 24 teams by 2020 and by 28 further down the lane. Los Angeles, Minnesota and Atlanta are the other locations where the other three franchises are designated to come up.
The 28-year-old Spanish International is contracted to the Catalan giants until 2019 and it has been suggested that he has always dreamed of finishing his career as a footballer in the United States. Having launched a successful video game application called the ‘Final Kick’, the budding entrepreneur believes the USA is the perfect place to build his brand while also seeing out the twilight of his career.
Though the defender has not yet given a definitive answer to Beckham’s invite, it is believed that Pique’s response has been very positive.
Ibrahimovic is a born winner: Beckham
The Spaniard is the second player Beckham has targeted to join his new MLS side after Sweden and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The former Real Madrid player had lavished praise on the striker’s abilities and commitment to the game.
"Who does not want a man who is prepared to kill to win?"
"If Ibrahimovic is still active, then I want to buy him right away. He is a magnificent physical specimen, so it's entirely possible,” Beckham said of the Paris St-Germain striker and Beckham's teammate in his final year as a professional at the Paris club.
"I've played with or against the very best in the world," Beckham said. "I have never met anyone who was so serious during both practice and games.”
"When I came to Paris I knew that he was an incomparable talent as a player, but he'd be so tough and merciless on himself at all times, I had no idea.”
"He is a born winner. He is a beast with huge self-confidence, and I'm one of his biggest admirers."
According to reports, Beckham also has Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney in his sights as he prepares to launch his new venture as a franchise owner.
