David Beckham is set to begin talks with French side AS Monaco, with negotiations expected to take place after Saturday’s MLS Cup final.
The 37-year-old is understood to be open to the idea of moving to the principality, having announced his desire to leave Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham has also attracted interest from clubs in Russia and Brazil.
The former England captain plans to make a final decision on his future by the turn of the year.
Beckham is due to play for LA Galaxy against Houston Dynamo on Saturday, a rematch of last year’s MLS Cup final. LA Galaxy won that game 1-0 to earn Beckham his first piece of silverware in the United States.
That was thought to be the last game of his six-year MLS career, but he signed a new two-year contract in January.
But Monaco, who play in the second tier of French football, Ligue 2, following their relegation from Ligue 1 in 2011, look set to begin talks with the midfielder after he announced he was to leave the Galaxy for “one last challenge” before retirement.
The French side have experienced a steady decline in fortunes since appearing in the 2004 Champions League final, which ended in a 3-0 defeat by Porto.
They had mainly been stuck in mid-table but a period of financial instability contributed to their relegation in 2011.
Billionaire Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev bought a majority stake in the club in December 2011, with ambitions to return them to the level they were once at.
Aside from the Champions League final, Monaco boast a fine history, with seven French league titles to their name and alumni such as George Weah, Yaya Toure and Englishman Glenn Hoddle.
They were also managed by Arsene Wenger between 1987 and 1994, the now-Arsenal boss winning the title in his first season at the club.
Monaco – under the guidance of former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri – are top of the French second division after 15 matches of the season.
Beckham has attracted interest from other parts of France, with Paris Saint-Germain also ready to offer him a chance to move closer to home.
PSG offered Beckham a multi-million pound contract to move to Paris last November but he opted not to accept the proposal for family reasons.
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