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Becks and Real still talking
10/01/2007 18:13 - (SA)
Madrid - David Beckham is still talking to Real Madrid about a new contract and an interview with Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic was misinterpreted, a spokesperson for the player said on Wednesday.
"I've spoken to Real Madrid about this and they say it is a confusion in the interview with Mijatovic," the spokesperson said.
"There is an offer on the table from Real Madrid we will be meeting to discuss this in the next two days."
"Beckham's contract was not renewed," Mijatovic told Italian TV station Sky TG 24.
It wasn't clear whether Mijatovic meant the decision was final or whether contract talks were still alive.
Some news media quoted Mijatovic as saying, "Beckham will leave us, we will not renew his contract." However, that did not reflect the exact words broadcast in the Italian interview and translated by The Associated Press.
The interviewer asked: "Will Beckham's contract be renewed?"
Mijatovic replied: "No, Beckham's contract was not renewed."
Madrid said they were not aware of Mijatovic's remarks, and added that the club would make any announcements about Beckham on their website.
Beckham's four-year contract expires at the end of this season.
Mijatovic said on Tuesday that the club wanted the 31-year-old midfielder and former England captain to decide by next week whether he will accept a two-year contract extension.
Expected to make changes
Beckham, who joined Madrid from Manchester United in 2003, has been stalling on the offer due to his lack of first-team opportunities under coach Fabio Capello this season. He has started only seven of 25 matches.
Adding to speculation about his future, Beckham was left off Madrid's squad to play a Copa del Rey match against Real Betis on Thursday.
Capello was expected to make changes following a dismal run in which Madrid has lost three of its last four games.
But Beckham's omission for Thursday's game appears to back reports that Capello has asked the club not to renew his contract. Capello reportedly views Beckham as the third choice for the right-sided midfield slot, behind captain Raul Gonzalez and Jose Antonio Reyes.
Beckham's agent, Simon Oliveira, recently said that Madrid's offer was slightly bigger than his current contract. He said the player was taking his time because it was "the last significant deal of his football career."
Beckham is allowed to negotiate with other clubs during the January transfer window and can leave with Madrid's permission.
Beckham has been linked to a possible return to the Premier League, a move to Italy or a jump to Major League Soccer in the United States, with the Los Angeles Galaxy reportedly interested.
Beckham has a soccer academy in Los Angeles. His wife Victoria, a former Spice Girl, was recently photographed house-hunting in Los Angeles.
MLS recently changed its rules on salary caps, and that would allow Beckham to sign a lucrative deal.
Beckham hasn't won a major trophy since joining Madrid.
- AP
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