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Beckham yet to sign deal as Real play waiting game
By Sid Lowe in Madrid
(Filed: 29/08/2006)
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David Beckham has yet to sign a contract extension at Real Madrid, despite reports he has agreed a two-year deal that would take him to 2009. Beckham’s current deal expires at the end of the season and he would be free to negotiate with other clubs on Jan 1.
But on Sunday night Real president Ramon Calderon claimed that Beckham will sign a two-year extension that would see him stay in the Spanish capital beyond his 34th birthday. “We have agreed that Beckham will have his contract extended — he’s happy here and wants to continue at Real Madrid,” Calderon said on the late-night television show El Rondo.
“The management team [led by coach Fabio Capello] have given the go-ahead.” However, despite the rhetoric Beckham has not signed a new deal, and formal negotiations are not expected to begin until after the transfer window closes on Thursday. In fact, there have been constant stories of new negotiations between Beckham and Madrid over the last two years, none of which have come to fruition.
Beckham has expressed his surprise that his contract should be allowed to run into the final season and has frequently declared his desire to continue at Madrid, but proper negotiations simply have not taken place — or have been curtailed by changes at the club. In just three seasons, Beckham has had six coaches, four directors of football and three presidents. In March he said: “Talks are always with the president himself and every time you go to sort something out, something else changes.”
Although Beckham’s preference is to stay at Madrid, if a deal was to remain unsigned his camp believe that he would still have significant options. But negotiations may not be straightforward. Beckham’s basic salary will remain €6 million (£4 million) -a-year, after tax, but his camp are keen to secure a larger slice of his image rights, of which Real currently own 50 per cent. They want some recognition of the fact that his commercial importance is far greater than that of any other player. A deal is at last on the cards, but both sides must still play their hands.
By Sid Lowe in Madrid
(Filed: 29/08/2006)
Your View: Football fans' forum
David Beckham has yet to sign a contract extension at Real Madrid, despite reports he has agreed a two-year deal that would take him to 2009. Beckham’s current deal expires at the end of the season and he would be free to negotiate with other clubs on Jan 1.
But on Sunday night Real president Ramon Calderon claimed that Beckham will sign a two-year extension that would see him stay in the Spanish capital beyond his 34th birthday. “We have agreed that Beckham will have his contract extended — he’s happy here and wants to continue at Real Madrid,” Calderon said on the late-night television show El Rondo.
“The management team [led by coach Fabio Capello] have given the go-ahead.” However, despite the rhetoric Beckham has not signed a new deal, and formal negotiations are not expected to begin until after the transfer window closes on Thursday. In fact, there have been constant stories of new negotiations between Beckham and Madrid over the last two years, none of which have come to fruition.
Beckham has expressed his surprise that his contract should be allowed to run into the final season and has frequently declared his desire to continue at Madrid, but proper negotiations simply have not taken place — or have been curtailed by changes at the club. In just three seasons, Beckham has had six coaches, four directors of football and three presidents. In March he said: “Talks are always with the president himself and every time you go to sort something out, something else changes.”
Although Beckham’s preference is to stay at Madrid, if a deal was to remain unsigned his camp believe that he would still have significant options. But negotiations may not be straightforward. Beckham’s basic salary will remain €6 million (£4 million) -a-year, after tax, but his camp are keen to secure a larger slice of his image rights, of which Real currently own 50 per cent. They want some recognition of the fact that his commercial importance is far greater than that of any other player. A deal is at last on the cards, but both sides must still play their hands.
