David Beckham will hold talks with Real Madrid next week over
their offer of a new two-year contract, it was reported on
Wednesday.
The former England captain is out of contract at the Bernabeu in
June and 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," Oliveira added as he dampened down talk of the former
Manchester United midfielder coming back to play in England this
season.
Some British newspapers had reported that the deal had stalled
because Beckham wanted complete control of his image rights and
Real, who currently own 50 percent of those rights, were reluctant
to give him that autonomy.
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 January 1 because he is in the final six
months of his contract.
Clubs from England, France, Italy and Spain have all reportedly
expressed an interest in signing the 31-year-old.
However, Oliveira stressed his client would not be leaving Real
during this month's 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."
(China Daily via AFP January 5, 2007)