DAVID BECKHAM is planning showdown talks with Real
Madrid to end speculation about his future at the
club.
With just hours left before Beckham becomes free to speak to other
clubs, Real have decided to act. The Spanish giants' sporting
director Predrag Mijatovic will speak to the ex-England captain
about extending his contract .
Beckham is unhappy at a lack of first team action, despite starting
two of Real's last three matches. And with his contract expiring in
July, Becks is expected to listen to other offers in January before
committing his future to Real.
Real president Ramon Calderon insists the club want Beckham to stay
and have offered him a new deal. The supremo says it is now up to
the midfielder to decide whether or not he commits.
Calderon said: "After the conversations that we have maintained in
the last months, David Beckham already has our offer on the table.
Now it is he who has to decide. "We are very happy with David and
we all would like him to continue playing for the club and that he
renews his contract."
Meanwhile, Real have been linked with a move for World Cup star
Franck Ribery to replace Beckham. The 23-year-old Marseille
midfielder was a key member of the France side that reached this
summer's World Cup final.
Ribery was linked with a move to Arsenal and Manchester United
after his exploits but failed to agree an exit from the French
side. Beckham recently dropped down the pecking order at Real after
the £13.7million signing of 20-year-old midfielder Fernando Gago
from Boca Juniors.
