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Decision time for Beckham
09/01/2007 15:58 - (SA)
Madrid - Real Madrid wants David Beckham to say by next week whether he will accept a two-year contract offer.
Beckham has been stalling on a new deal for several months due to his failure to establish himself in the first team this season under coach Fabio Capello. He has started only seven of 25 matches.
"He has asked for time to think but we are in a situation where we have no time, we have to react now. Next week we will deal with the matter," Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic told Cadena SER on Tuesday.
Beckham's current contract with Madrid ends in June, but he is allowed to negotiate with other clubs during the January transfer window and can leave with Madrid's permission.
Beckham's agent, Simon Oliveira, said last week that Madrid's offer was slightly bigger than his current deal. He added the 31-year-old midfielder was taking his time as it was "the last significant deal of his football career."
It has been suggested Beckham could leave Madrid and return to the Premier League, move to Italy or play for a Major League Soccer club in the United States, with the Los Angeles Galaxy reportedly interested.
MLS recently changed its rules on salary caps, and that would allow the former England captain to sign a lucrative deal. Beckham has a soccer academy in Los Angeles.
Madrid's league title hopes have been hit by defeats in the past two games, leading Spain's press to suggest the club is contemplating a player clearout, which could include Beckham.
Sports daily As said Tuesday that Capello had asked the club not to renew Beckham's contract as he was now the third choice for the right-sided midfield slot, behind captain Raul Gonzalez and Jose Antonio Reyes.
Beckham hasn't won a major trophy since joining Madrid from Manchester United in 2003.
- AP
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