Beckham Camp Says Real Are Ready to Deal

David Beckham will not leave Real Madrid during the current transfer window and will reopen talks over a new deal at the Bernabeu, according to his official spokesman.

Speculation has been rife that the 31-year-old will quit the Spanish giants this month after finding first-team opportunities hard to come by this season.

The former England skipper had a year to forget with a disappointing World Cup preceding an exit from the international squad under the new manager Steve McClaren. His form in La Liga has since been mediocre and many assumed he had become surplus to requirements at Madrid.

But, rather than fishing for a move away from the club he joined in 2003, the player's spokesman, Simon Oliveira, has claimed there are discussions ahead for a two-year extension to his current deal, which expires in June. "There is a significant deal on the table from Real," said Oliveira. "It's slightly more than he's on at the moment. They are the only club we are genuinely talking to at the moment and another meeting is scheduled for the second week of January.

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

Oliveira poured scorn on reports that business, rather than football, factors could play a major role in deciding Beckham's future. "The primary reason for any decision David makes will be a footballing one," he added. "Decisions about his image rights and salary are obviously important, but they are not deal-breakers."