Beckham To Begin New Contract Talks With Real

Mikk · 01-03-2007, 11:18 AM

From: BBC

Quote:

David Beckham will hold talks with Real Madrid next week over their offer of a new two-year contract. The former England skipper is out of contract at the Bernabeu in June.

His spokesman, Simon Oliveira, told BBC Sport: "There is a significant deal on the table from Real. It's slightly more than he's currently on.

"They are the only club we are genuinely talking to at the moment and another meeting is scheduled for the second week of January."

Some British newspapers had reported that the deal had stalled because Beckham wanted complete control of his image rights and Real were unwilling to comply.

Under the terms of his current contract, Real own 50% of Beckham's image rights.

But Oliveira said: "The primary reason for any decision David makes will be a footballing one.

"Decisions about his image rights and salary are obviously important, but
they are not deal breakers."

Under Fifa guidelines, Beckham has been able to openly negotiate with other clubs from 1 January because he is in the final six months of his contract.

And BBC Sport understands that major clubs from England, Spain, France and Italy have already expressed an interest in the 31-year-old midfielder.

Oliveira said there was no chance that Beckham would leave the Bernabeu during the current transfer window.

"David intends to play a major role for Real Madrid for the remainder of the season," he said.

"He wants to take time over this decision. It will be the last significant deal of his football career. He will know by March what he is going to do."

Looks as if he won't be back in England any time soon and he is getting what he wants.

Unless he's using this time to listen to offers from other clubs after Real keep putting him on the bench.